OBJECTIVETo analyze the detecting rate of iron-deficient anemia and the compose ratio of different degree of anemia in Chinese students.

METHODBy using the WHO screening standard, and using the row data of 1995 and 2000 National Survey sample, to screen the prevalence of anemia in the primary and secondary school students, and compare the detecting rates among different populations.

RESULTSThe detecting rates of iron-deficient anemia have been decreased in a large scale in the Chinese students. Situations are better in the young ages than in the relative old ages. The detecting rates has decreased 7.6% and 5.7% in the urban boys aged 7 and 9 years old, respectively, in recent 5 years, which are more evident than the urban girls. In rural boys and girls, the detecting rates of iron-deficiency anemia of all the age groups have decreasing 3%-7%, which are more significant than in the urban ones. The composing ratio of the middle- and serious-degree anemia has already lower than 2%-3%, whereas the ratios of the marginal anemia have risen significantly in the recent 5 years. In totally, the ratios have risen 7.2%, 1.3%, 7.0% and 6.0% in the urban boys, urban girls, rural boys and rural girls, respectively. This phenomenon shows that the problem of the iron-deficiency anemia of the Chinese students will be easily to be overcome in the future.

CONCLUSIONSAccording to the situation, three measures are suggested by the authors: Focus on increasing the iron storage of the students by scientific arrangement of food intake. Put the students who are during the peak adolescent growth as the key population. Put the widespread of knowledge of anemia-prevention as the contents in the school nutrition education.