Sociodemographic disparity in the nutritional status among children and adolescents in Zhejiang Province

Abstract

Objective: To explore the sociodemographic disparity in the nutritional status including BMI, vitamin D and vitamin A status among children and adolescents in Zhejiang Province. Methods: Weight, height serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D, and serum retinol were assessed in 2818 children and adolescents (6–17 years of age), using ten investigation sites in Zhejiang Province including urban and rural areas data from the China National Nutritional Study 2016–2017, which is a nationally representative cross-sectional study, to form provincial representative sample of Zhejiang Province. Sociodemographic disparity was explored. Results: The prevalence of low weight, eutrophic, overweight and obese were 6.7%, 70.4%, 11.6%, and 11.2%, respectively. Significant difference was observed on BMI between males and females (P < 0.05), and between urban and rural areas (P < 0.05). The prevalence of vitamin D deficiency, inadequacy, normal and appropriate were 1.8%, 34.9%, 46.4% and 16.9%, respectively. Significant difference was observed on the concentration of 25‐hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) both between genders and between living areas (P < 0.05). The prevalence of vitamin A deficiency, marginal deficiency and appropriate were 4.5%, 24.7%, and 70.9%, respectively. Significant difference was observed on the concentration of retinol between living area (P < 0.05). Conclusions: Overweight and obesity, deficiency and inadequacy of vitamin D, deficiency and marginal deficiency of vitamin A were prevalent among children and adolescents. There were disparities between genders and between living areas on the nutritional status. Regional and sex-specific guidelines and public health policies for children and adolescent nutrition are needed.