OBJECTIVETo investigate sex difference on nutritional status, feeding practice and health care of rural children in western China.

METHODSData used in this study was from a large scale cross-sectional survey conducted in western rural areas of China. The total number of children younger than 3 years old was 14 532, in which 57.4% were boys. Logistic regression model was employed to control selected background factors for analysis of sex differential on nutritional status,feeding practice and health care of children.

RESULTSThe prevalence rates of stunting, underweight and wasting were close between both genders, regardless of north or south areas. After controlling of selected background factors, sex differentials in malnutrition happened only in north areas. It showed that boys having higher risk of being underweight than girls (OR = 1.27) in the families with one child and lower risk of being stunting than girls ( OR = 0.60). There was no sex differential found in stunting, underweight and wasting for any type of families in south areas. As for feeding practice egg was introduced to boys more frequently compared with girls,which was found in families with one child of south areas and ones with two children from the southern areas. More boys from families with two children of southern areas were exclusively breastfed within 4 months after birth. Data indicated boys had higher risk of being sick. Prevalence of anemia was 36.2% for boys,33.4% for girls. Prevalence of cold was 29.0% for boys,27.4% for girls. Prevalence of diarrhea was 19.0% for boys, 17.5% for girls. This sex differential persisted in the families of north areas after controlling for selected background factors.

CONCLUSIONSex differentials on nutritional status, feeding practice and health care exist in rural areas of western China, especially in north areas.