[Status of malnutrition and its influencing factors in children under 5 years old in Guangnan District of Yunnan Province in 2009 - 2010]

Abstract

Objective: To analyze the status of malnutrition and its influencing factors in children under 5 years old in Guangnan District of Yunnan Province in 2009 - 2010.

Methods: By the random cluster sampling and stratified sampling methods, 1002 children within 5 years old in rural areas were selected from poverty-stricken counties in Yunnan Province. The questionnaire survey including questionnaire, anthropometric measurement and dietary survey such as height and weight were used respectively for the survey. Z score was used for evaluating the nutritional status. The prevalence of malnutrition was calculated by statistics software. Multiple factors analysis was finished by non condition Logistic regression in software.

Results: During 2009 - 2010, of all children under the age of 5 years old, the underweight rate is 18.8%, stunted growth rate is 34.3% and emaciation rate is 3.1% in impoverished rural area of Yunnan Province. Removing other variables, the result indicated: (1) Comparing with these children under 2 years old who are provided with breastfeeding, the children under 2 years old who are not given breastfeeding are more possible to get malnutrition. (2) The children under 2 years old who were added more vegetable and fruit supplement are less possible to get malnutrition than those children who were added less vegetable and fruit supplement during the past 7 days. (3) The children under 2 years old with good conditions are less possible to get malnutrition than the children with normal conditions or bad conditions.

Conclusion: Malnutrition in children under 5 years old in pour rural areas of Yunnan province should not be ignored. The main influencing factors of children malnutrition include feeding ways, increasing supplementary food, and the conditions compared with other children under 2 years old.