| Objective:To understand the nutritional and health status of school-age children in the poor areas of Hebei province, to evaluate the effect of nutrient bags on school-age children, to improve nutritional status of children in poor areas, to obtain credible data upon which Government's nutritional intervention and developmental support programs will be based.Method:Using cluster random sampling, three primary schools were randomly selected from each of the two poor counties in Hebei Province, Neiqiu County and Xingtang County. Pupils in two out of the three selected schools in each county were all nutrient bag group which students were offered nutrient bags, whereas pupils in the remaining one primary school were as control group where students received only nutrition education.The school-age children in the poor areas were proposed by the Chinese Nutrition Society, the project organizers, based on the recommendations by food and nutrition experts related to rural pupil's fortified formula designed project intervention programs. By-health Company provided financial support and also supplied the nutrient bags.The total intervention period was 10 months.Prior to the commencement of the interventions, baseline survey was carried out to obtain students height, weight, hemoglobin, dietary status, disease prevalence, economic status, food preferences and other information. The nutrition education and health awareness programs were organized by National Center for Disease Control and Prevention and the Department of Nutrition and Food Hygiene, Hebei Medical University. The county Center for disease prevention and control and school teachers were responsible for the distribution of the nutrient bags to the group throughout the 10 month fortification intervention period. Nutrition and Food Hygiene Department of Hebei Medical University was in charge of supervision.During the intervention period, the health state and nutrient bags usage record were recorded by the school teacher. After the end of the intervention, the height, weight, hemoglobin and other indicators were again measured and compared with the baseline data to assess the effect of improved nutrition on the pupils.Results:1 Dietary statusThe average per person per day cereals, vegetables, eggs intake have reached recommended amount.The intakes of meat, milk,fish and shrimp were all insufficient, however salt intake was exceeded.2 The main nutrient intakesThe average energy, thiamine, niacin, ascorbic acid, iron can basically reached the DRIs recommended amount, protein was slightly insufficient, retinol, riboflavin, calcium were significantly insufficient.3 The height, weight, waist change within the intervention periodThe height of the children after the intervention, increased significantly as compared with the baseline data. However, there was no significant difference in height between the two groups. The weight of the students(both groups) after the intervention program was found to be significantly higher than that of the baseline data. Apart from the 10 years old students, weight gain among the group that had nutrient bags was significantly higher than the group that received only nutrition education. Waistline increased significantly among the pupils in all ages after the intervention as compared with baseline data, but there was no significant difference in waistline between the two groups.4 The plasma vitamin A level change within the intervention periodAfter the intervention, nutrient bags group children's plasma vitamin A was significantly higher than the control group. The plasma vitamin A level of the children after the intervention, increased significantly compared with the baseline data.5 The stunting state change within the intervention periodBaseline stunting rate among the nutrient bags group was 1.45%, whereas that of the control group was 2.77%. After the end of the intervention, the stunting rate among the nutrient bags group was 1.02%, whereas that of the control group was 1.71%. Both the group stunting rates after the intervention were significantly lower compared with baseline data. The total stunting rate, Xingtang stunting rate, Neiqiu stunting rate for the group that received both nutrient bags and nutrition education respectively decreased 29.66%?45.16%?20.98%. The total stunting rate, Xingtang stunting rate, Neiqiu stunting rate for the group that received only nutrition education respectively decreased 38.26%, 39.22%, 38.09%. The nutrient bags group and control group showed no significant difference in improving the stunting rate.6 The wasting state change within the intervention periodBaseline wasting rate among the nutrient bags group was 6.25%, whereas that of the control group was 9.14%. After the end of the intervention, the wasting rate among the nutrient bags group was4.25%, whereas that of the control group was 7.00%. Both the group wasting rates after the intervention were significantly lower compared with baseline data. The total wasting rate among nutrient bags group and the control group decreased 32.00%,23.41% respectively. The wasting rate for nutrient bags group was lower than the control group.7 The anemia state change within the intervention periodBaseline anemia rate among the nutrient bags group was 8.55%, whereas that of the control group was 10.00%. After the end of the intervention, the anemia rate among the nutrient bags group was5.59%, whereas that of the control group was 11.31%. Both the group anemia rates after the intervention were significantly lower compared with baseline data. Apart from the 7,13 years old students, anemia rate among nutrient bags group was significantly lower than the control group.8 The vitamin A deficiency improvement within the intervention periodBaseline vitamin A deficiency rate among the nutrient bags group was 36.96%, whereas that of the control group was 23.76%.The vitamin A deficiency rate among nutrient bags group was higher compared with control group. After the end of the intervention, the vitamin A deficiency rate among nutrient bags group 8.92%, whereas that of the control group was 23.83%, the vitamin A deficiency rate among nutrient bags group was significantly lower than the control group.Baseline vitamin A edge deficiency rate among the nutrient bags group was 36.76%, whereas that of the control group was 39.62%. After the end of the intervention, the edge vitamin A deficiency rate among nutrient bags group 28.62%, whereas that of the control group was 42.98%.Conclusion:1 Consumption of nutrient bags effectively improves the nutritional and health status of school-age children.2 The nutrient bags can effectively promote height and weight increase in school-age children in poor areas.3 The nutrient bags can significantly reduce rate of stunting, wasting among school children in poor areas.4 The nutrient bags can significantly reduce anemia among school children in poor areas.5 The nutrient bags can improve the plasma retinol levels of the children in poor areas and reduce vitamin A deficiency rate.6. The nutrient bags should further increase the content of retinol, calcium to better promote the growth and development of children in poor areas. |
PDF Full Text Request