[Prevalence and associated factors for double burden of overweight/obesity and anemia malnutrition among children aged 6-71 months in China in 2019-2021].

Abstract

Objective: To provide updated prevalence and associated factors of double burden of malnutrition(DBM) among children aged 6-17 months in China.

Methods: This study was a cross-sectional study. A multi-stage stratified randomized sampling method was used to recruit 25 791 children aged 6-71 months from 14 provinces in China between 2019 and 2021. A standardized questionnaire survey was used to collect basic information about children and their parents. All children were weighted using unified digital weight scales, and the length/height of all children was determined using unified instruments. Hemoglobin of all children was collected using a HemoCue 201+ system. The body mass index for age Z-scores and anemia were determined and used to evaluate the prevalence of double burden of overweight/obesity and anemia malnutrition. The chi-square test was used to compare the prevalence of malnutrition among children with different characteristics. The unconditional logistic regression model was used to examine factors associated with the malnutrition.

Results: This study included 25 791 children aged 6-71 months, including 5127 children aged 6-11 months, 6592 children aged 12-23 months, 3605 children aged 24-35 months, 3492 children aged 36-47 months, 3559 children aged 48-59 months, and 3416 children aged 60-71 months. The prevalence of double burden of overweight/obesity and malnutrition among children aged 6-71 months was 0.8%(n=210).12-23 months(OR=0.69, 95%CI 0.42-0.83), 24-35 months(OR=0.33, 95%CI 0.19-0.55), 36-47 months(OR=0.14, 95%CI 0.06-0.30), 48-59 months(OR=0.26, 95%CI 0.14-0.48), 60-71 months(OR=0.46, 95%CI 0.28-0.75), father's age of 40-44years(OR=0.40, 95%CI 0.17-0.97) and higher education levels of father(OR=0.40, 95%CI 0.17-0.97) were the protective factors for DBM(P<0.05), whereas large-for-gestational-age infants(LGA)(OR=1.73, 95%CI 1.13-2.66), non-only-child(OR=1.58, 95%CI 1.14-2.19), central regions(OR=1.64, 95%CI 1.11-2.43) and rural area(OR=1.45, 95%CI 1.05-2.00)were the risk factors for DBM(P<0.05).

Conclusion: The prevalence of DBM among children aged 6-71 months in 14 provinces in China was at a relatively low level. The occurrence of overweight/obesity and anemia malnutrition was impacted by children age, LGA, non-only-child, age of father, education levels of father and regions.