Nutritional status among urban and suburban middle school students in Baotou city

Objective To study the nutritional status among urban and suburban middle school students in Baotou city and to provide scientific basis for improving nutritional level of the students.Methods The status of growth and development was investigated with the method of weight-for-height among 409 middle school students.Results The rates of low-weight,lower-weight,normal-weight,over-weight,and obesity were 2.2%,38.4%,39.4%,5.9%,and 14.2%,respectively.The rates of photophobia,xerophthalmia,gum hemorrhage,caries,keratosis follicularis,and systremma were 21.0%,16.6%,32.2%,24.0%,20.3%,and 16.6%,respectively.The rates of night-blindness,upper extremity and lower extremity numbness,and anorexia were 7.1%,6.1%,and 5.1%.Conclusion The nutritional status is poor among the middle school students in Baotou city and some efficient interventions should be implemented to improve the students' nutritional status.