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

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.