The Prevalence And Risk Factors For Malnutrition In Elementary School Students In Wuhan

Objective: In order to know the prevalence of malnutrition in elementary school students in Wuhan City and explore the factors associated with the malnutrition.Methods: Height and weight measurements were taken for 1,571elementary school students from a randomly selected school in Wuhan. Then, statistical analysis, t-tests,χ2-testing, and non-conditional logistic regression analysis were used to analysis information.Results: 1.The malnutrition rate of elementary school students in Wuhan City was 25.84% (boy, 21.32%; girl, 30.02%), in which mild malnutrition rate was 23.30%, moderate and severe malnutrition rate was 2.55%.2. The influencing factors of malnutrition2.1 Single factor analysis: We found that high birth weight, high BMI index of parents, eat food grain more than six months, large amount of staple food, do not eat before bed, Regular eat high-fat food, regular eat meat, regular milk were protective factors of malnutrition; we also get a result: high Engel index, within four months of formula feeding, start kindergarten life after 4-year-old, do not eat breakfast, eat slowly, poor appetite, choosy food, insufficient sleep were risk factors of malnutrition.2.2 Non-Logistic regression analysis of multiple factors found birth weight, milk,a understanding of their own size, BMI index of mother, formula feeding within four months after birth, staple food, appetite, were the factors of malnutrition(P<0.05).Conclusions: 1. The prevention of malnutrition among elementary school students in Wuhan is severe; girls are the focal crowd. We should pay more attention to the mild malnutrition groups.2. Preventive measures: We should prevent the premature and low birth weight; breastfeed in four months after birth and timely add food supplement.3. Malnutrition status of improvement: Students and parents should be taught the scientific methods of nutrition in order to change the bad eating habits.