Status and dynamic changes in wasting among Han children and adolescent in Anhui province,2005-2014

ObjectiveTo examine the status and dynamic changes in wasting among Han ethnicity children and adolescents in Anhui province during 2005-2014 and to provide references for malnutrition prevention.MethodsThe data of the study were based on National Survey on the Constitution and Health of Chinese Students in Anhui province in 2005,2010,and 2014 (WS/T456-2014).Differences in wasting among student groups were analyzed with χ² test.ResultsThe detection rate of wasting significantly decreased from 19.4% to 12.7% in the boys and from 12.3% to 9.0% in the girls between 2005 and 2010 (P<0.001).The detection rate of wasting was 11.5% and 8.3% in the boys and girls in 2014.No significant differences were found in the prevalence of wasting between 2010 and 2014 (P>0.05).ConclusionWasting,as an acute malnutrition,is still a serious public health problem among children and adolescents in Anhui province,which deserves more attention.