Objective. This study was conducted to determine the dietary diversity score and its relation to nutritional adequacy among 16-19 year-old adolescents. Methods. Secondary data analyses were undertaken with a representative sample of 16-19 year-old adolescents (n=521) in a university campus in Manila in 2008. Dietary diversity scores (DDS) were calculated. Nutrient adequacy ratio (NAR) is the ratio of subject's nutrient intake to the 2002 Recommended Energy and Nutrient Intakes (RENI) for Filipinos. The mean adequacy ratio (MAR) was calculated as the sum of NARs for all evaluated nutrients divided by the number of nutrients evaluated, expressed as a ratio (range from 0-1). MAR was used as a measure of adequacy of overall diet. Pearson correlation coefficients between DDS and MAR were calculated and also evaluated for sensitivity and specificity, with MAR taken as the ideal standard of adequate intake. Results. The adolescents had a mean DDS of 3.94 (1.21) and a mean MAR of 0.67 (0.18). There was a strong correlation between MAR and DDS (r=0.543; P < 0.0001). A DDS of 4 was shown to be the best indicators for both MAR equivalent to 0.5 and 0.7 since they provided the best sensitivity and specificity. Conclusion. DDS can be used as a simple and quick indicator of the nutritional adequacy of the diets among these group of adolescents. Further investigation of this tool is needed for other population groups i.e., adults and elderly.
Human ; Male ; Female ; Adult ; Young Adult ; Adolescent ; DIET ; ADOLESCENT NUTRITIONAL PHYSIOLOGICAL PHENOMENA ; PHYSIOLOGICAL PHENOMENA ; NUTRITIONAL PHYSIOLOGICAL PHENOMENA ; DIET THERAPY

OBJECTIVETo study the nutrition habits among Chinese-Korean children and adolescents in Yanbian Autonomous Prefecture, Jilin, China.

METHODSData were obtained from the Chinese National Survey on Students' Constitution and Health in 1995, 2000, 2005, and 2010 for Chinese-Korean children and adolescents aged 7-18 years. The number of the subjects included was 4789, 4704, 5875, and 5315, respectively.

RESULTSThe rate of the occurrence of stunting showed a declining trend from 1995 to 2010 (for boys: urban, 6.3%; rural, 12.7% in 1995 and 3.5% for both in 2010. For girls: urban, 7.8%; rural, 13.4% in 1995 and 4.2% and 5.5%, respectively, in 2010). Although the ratio of wasting did not show significant differences between the urban and rural children and adolescents in 1995, 2000, 2005, and 2010 respectively, the ratio of occurrence of overweight or obesity increased (for boys: urban, 7.3% and 1.3% in 1995, 17.6% and 12.9% in 2010; rural, 7.0% and 1.3% in 1995, 14.6% and 12.8% in 2010, respectively. For girls: urban, 8.1% and 1.0% in 1995, 17.3% and 8.6% in 2010; rural 5.7% and 0.7% in 1995, 16.4% and 7.4% in 2010, respectively).

CONCLUSIONThe ratio of malnutrition in children and adolescents in Chinese-Korean areas declined from 1995 to 2010, and the distinction in malnutrition between the urban and rural areas was negligible in 2010. Further, the ratio of overweight and obesity increased over this period.

Adolescent ; Adolescent Nutritional Physiological Phenomena ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; Child ; Child Nutritional Physiological Phenomena ; China ; epidemiology ; ethnology ; Female ; Growth Disorders ; epidemiology ; Humans ; Male ; Nutritional Status ; Overweight ; epidemiology

OBJECTIVETo investigate the nutritional status of school-age children in rural area in Hunan, China from 2012 to 2015 and to evaluate the effectiveness of the "Nutrition Improvement Program for Compulsory Education Students in Rural Area" (hereinafter referred to as "Nutrition Improvement Program").

METHODSThe nutritional status of school-age children aged 6-14 years was evaluated after the implementation of the "Nutrition Improvement Program" and the changing trend of the children's nutritional status was analyzed. The statistical analysis was performed on the monitoring data of the school-age children aged 6-14 years in rural area in Hunan, China from 2012 to 2015, which came from "The Nutrition and Health Status Monitoring and Evaluation System of Nutrition Improvement Program for Compulsory Education Students in Rural Area".

RESULTSIn 2015, female students aged 6-7 years in rural area in Hunan, China had a significantly greater body length than the rural average in China (P<0.05). However, the other age groups had significantly smaller body length and weight than the rural averages in China (P<0.05). After the implementation of "Nutrition Improvement Program", the prevalence rate of growth retardation decreased (P<0.05), but the prevalence rate of emaciation increased (P<0.05). At the same time, the prevalence rate of overweight/obesity increased (P<0.05) and the prevalence rate of anemia decreased (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONSThe implementation of "Nutrition Improvement Program" has achieved some success, but the nutritional status of school-age children has not improved significantly. Overweight/obesity and malnutrition are still present. Therefore, to promote the nutritional status of school-age children it is recommended to improve the measures for the "Nutrition Improvement Program".

Adolescent ; Child ; Child Nutritional Physiological Phenomena ; China ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Nutritional Status ; Rural Population

OBJECTIVETo study the current situation and factors influencing the behavior of fruit and vegetable intake in adolescents, and to discuss health education strategy related to the behavior.

METHODS1677 students were selected from primary school and middle school in urban area of Hangzhou by a multistage sampling method. The behavior of fruit and vegetable intake was surveyed by questionnaires of the patient-centered assessment and counseling for exercise plus nutrition project (PACE+) for adolescent-scale of fruit and vegetable consumption, and analyzed by Transtheoretical Model on the servings of intake, the stage of change, process of change, decisional balance and the current status of self-efficacy.

RESULTSThe average intake of fruit and vegetable in adolescents was (3.21 +/- 1.50) servings per day ("one serving" means 100 g cooked vegetable or 100 g fruit). The behavior of consuming fruit and vegetable in most of the adolescents was in the contemplation stage, accounting for 36.91% (619/1677). The process of behavior change, decisional balance (Pros) and self-efficacy existed a positive correlation with the process of stage (r(process) = 0.38, r(decisional balance (Pros)) = 0.26, r(self-efficacy) = 0.33, t values were 16.78, 11.02 and 14.31, P < 0.05). The servings of fruit and vegetable intake existed a positive correlation with stage transition and self-efficacy (beta(stage transition) = 0.665, t = 35.07, P < 0.05; beta(self-efficacy) = 0.050, t = 2.63, P < 0.05), and existed a negative correlation with decisional balance (Cons) (beta(decisional balance (Cons)) = -0.051, t = -2.84, P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONFruit and vegetable intake of these adolescents are under the recommended dietary intake. Along with behavior stage development and self-efficacy improvement, the intake of fruit and vegetable also increased correspondingly. Intervention strategies should aim at improving the awareness of adolescents on the health benefits of fruit and vegetable intake and promoting their confidence to reach the recommended servings.

Adolescent ; Adolescent Nutritional Physiological Phenomena ; Child ; China ; Eating ; Feeding Behavior ; Female ; Fruit ; Humans ; Male ; Models, Theoretical ; Students ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Vegetables

OBJECTIVETo investigate milk consumption and effects on dietary nutrients and growth status among 7 - 17 years-old Chinese children in 9 provinces (autonomous region) from 1991 to 2006.

METHODSData was collected in 1991, 1993, 1997, 2000, 2004 and 2006 China Health and Nutrition Survey, and 11 691 subjects aged 7 to 17 years old were included. The subjects were divided into the following groups according to milk consumption per day, 0 (no milk drinking), 1 - 99, 100 - 199, 200 - 299 and ≥ 300 g/d. Variables from different years were compared, such as milk categories, energy, protein, calcium intake, body mass index (BMI), as well as that dietary nutrients, height and weight among different milk consumption groups.

RESULTSFrom 1991 to 2006, milk drinking rate and milk consumption among Chinese children had great improvement: milk drinking rate reached to 14.1% (161/1145) in 2006, while that was 3.0% (73/2441) in 1991; milk consumption reached to (26.7 ± 85.0) g/d in 2006, which was 6.8 times of that in 1991 (3.9 ± 31.9) g/d (χ(2) = 474.5, P < 0.01). BMI increased from (17.3 ± 2.9) kg/m(2) in 1991 to (18.5 ± 6.0) kg/m(2) in 2006 (χ(2) = 123.5, P < 0.01). Meanwhile, energy intake decreased from (8653.3 ± 2789.2) kJ/d in 1991 to (8058.3 ± 2866.6) kJ/d in 2006 (χ(2) = 72.6, P < 0.01); protein intake decreased from (63.0 ± 22.8) g/d in 1991 to (57.3 ± 23.1) g/d in 2006 (χ(2) = 71.9, P < 0.01). Average height of 0 (no milk drinking), 1 - 99, 100 - 199, 200 - 299 and ≥ 300 g/d groups were (142.9 ± 16.9), (146.9 ± 18.8), (147.6 ± 16.2), (148.8 ± 16.0), (149.9 ± 15.3) cm, respectively (χ(2) = 29.4, P < 0.01); average weight were (37.1 ± 13.2), (40.3 ± 13.9), (41.3 ± 16.9), (41.7 ± 14.6), (41.4 ± 12.2) kg, respectively (χ(2) = 25.7, P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONIn the period of 1991 to 2006, milk drinking rate and milk consumption has improved greatly. Main nutrient intake, height and weight increased with milk consumption.

Adolescent ; Adolescent Nutritional Physiological Phenomena ; Animals ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; Body Height ; Body Mass Index ; Body Weight ; Child ; Child Development ; Child Nutritional Physiological Phenomena ; Feeding Behavior ; Food ; Humans ; Milk ; Nutrition Surveys

OBJECTIVEAdequate nutrition is paramount for premature infants. Longitudinal information is scant on the effects of early nutrition and later growth. The purpose of this study was to determine the influence of early energy and protein provision in premature infants on adolescent body composition and blood pressure.

METHODSIn 2007-2008 we obtained data from 36 male (12.3±1.7 years) and 25 female (11.5±1.8 years) adolescents born preterm at <34 weeks gestation (range 23-34 weeks) between October 1st 1989 and December 31st 1995 (birth weight <1850 g). The adolescents were divided into groups depending on infant intake mode (enteral vs parenteral), energy provision (<70 kcal/kg/d and ≥70 kcal/kg/d) and protein provision (>2.5 g/kg/d for ≥5 days and >2.5 g/kg/d for <5 days) during the first 14 days of life.

RESULTSAfter controlling for birth weight and biological maturity, adolescents who received ≥70 kcal/kg/d during infancy were significantly taller (163±11 cm vs. 156±11 cm) and heavier (58±16 kg vs. 49±16 kg) than adolescents who received <70 kcal/kg/d. There were no significant differences in systolic and diastolic BP and total percent body fat between the two groups.

CONCLUSIONSOur data suggests that higher infant energy provision appears to be related to adolescent size, it does not appear to contribute to adverse risk factors such as higher systolic BP or increased body fat.

Adolescent ; Blood Pressure ; Body Composition ; Dietary Proteins ; administration & dosage ; Energy Intake ; Female ; Humans ; Infant Nutritional Physiological Phenomena ; Infant, Newborn ; Infant, Premature ; Male

OBJECTIVETo study the effect of maternal nutrition status on child growth in China.

METHODSThe study was performed using data from 2002 China Nutrition Health Survey in which data were collected through stratified multi-stage cluster samples in 31 provinces, autonomous regions, and municipalities. Accroding to the height of women aged 18-44 y was 156.4 cm, the data on mother and children' weight and height/length (n = 1380) were analyzed.

RESULTSThe findings suggest child's length (age 2) were significantly correlated with maternal heights (P < 0.0001). The mean length in children born to mothers with a height below 156.4 cm was 2.4 cm less than those in children born to mothers with a height above 156.4 cm. The prevalence of stunting in children at age 2 born to mothers with a height below 156 cm was 2.07 times of that in children born to mothers with a height above 156 cm. Therefore, the risk for stunting in children at 2 is lower in children born to mothers with greater height.

CONCLUSIONThe maternal nutrition status could have a significant influence on children physical development.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Body Height ; Child ; Child Development ; Child, Preschool ; China ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Female ; Humans ; Maternal Nutritional Physiological Phenomena ; Pregnancy ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo assess the nutrition status of children and adolescents in China using the WHO growth reference (2007) in comparison with that defined by the International Obesity Task Force (IOTF) and the Working Group on Obesity in China (WGOC).

METHODSOverweight and obesity were defined by age-, sex-, specific BMI reference developed by WHO (2007), IOTF (2000), and WGOC (2004), respectively. Stunting and thinness were defined as height and BMI less than two standard deviations (SD) of the WHO growth reference (2007), respectively. Data of children and adolescents aged 5 to 19 years (n=54,857, 28,273 boys, 26,584 girls) from the 2002 China National Nutrition and Health Survey (CNNHS) were used in the study.

RESULTSThe prevalence of overweight, obesity, stunting and thinness among Chinese children and adolescents aged 5-19 years was 5.0%, 1.2%, 13.8%, and 7.4%, respectively when the WHO growth reference (2007) was used, whereas the estimated absolute total number affected by these 4 conditions were 14.6, 3.7, 40.6, and 21.8 million, respectively. The prevalence of overweight and obesity was 18.1% in large cities, while the stunting prevalence was 25.1% in rural 4. Obesity prevalence assessed by the WHO growth reference was higher than that as assessed by the IOTF reference, and obesity prevalence assessed by the WGOC reference was lower than that as assessed by the IOTF reference.

CONCLUSIONThe nutritional status of children and adolescents is not equal in different areas of China. Stunting is still the main health problem of the poor, while overweight and obesity are the main health problems in large cities.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Age Distribution ; Body Weight ; Child ; Child Nutrition Disorders ; epidemiology ; Child Nutritional Physiological Phenomena ; Child, Preschool ; China ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Nutrition Surveys ; Nutritional Status ; Sex Characteristics ; World Health Organization ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo study the status of spontaneous abortion among reproductive Tibetan women aged 15 - 49 years.

METHODSA cross-sectional survey was conducted on reproductive history of Tibetan women and the sample was chosen under the stratified multistage cluster random sampling technique.

RESULTSA total number of 3741 women were studied with a total number of 10,245 pregnancies. There were 386 spontaneous abortions reported with an incidence rate of 3.9%. Women living in the urban area had a higher rate than living in the rural areas. Women living in area where altitudes were above 4500 m, had a 2-time risk of having spontaneous abortion than those living in areas below 3500 m. The risk of having spontaneous abortion increased among women aged > or = 35 and those with more than 3 pregnancies.

CONCLUSIONSHigh altitude could contribute to the increase of spontaneous abortions incidence, suggesting that improvement of maternal care and nutrition and reduction of the frequency of pregnancy had important roles to play in reducing the incidence of spontaneous abortion among Tibetan women. Despite the fact that retrospective study on reproductive history could underestimate the incidence of spontaneous abortion, the incidence rate among Tibetan women might not be much higher than women living in the lowland areas.

Abortion, Spontaneous ; epidemiology ; Adolescent ; Adult ; Altitude ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Female ; Humans ; Incidence ; Maternal Age ; Maternal Nutritional Physiological Phenomena ; Middle Aged ; Parity ; Pregnancy ; Prenatal Care ; Risk Factors ; Rural Population ; statistics & numerical data ; Tibet ; epidemiology ; Urban Population ; statistics & numerical data ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo explore the possibility of applying the concept of various stages of dietary behavior changes in Hangzhou residents.

METHODSThe dietary behavior was surveyed and analyzed in 1 388 Hangzhou residents with 18 year-old and older using the various dietary behavior change model model and stages of change.

RESULTSThe proportion of Hangzhou residents with unhealthy dietary behavior was high and associated with gender and education level. The changes of dietary behavior could be divided into 5 stages, i.e. preintention, intention, preparation, action and maintenance. These stages of change happen consecutively. The changes of unhealthy dietary behavior do not match the improvement of health knowledge. Although a significant proportion of the residents understand that it is unhealthy to eat too much fat, pickles and high salt food, there are only a few of them really take action to reduce the consumption of these foods and to consume more milk, fruit and vegetable.

CONCLUSIONSThere are multiple factors that affect the changes of dietary behavior in people. The changes of dietary behavior occur in various consecutive stages. Different intervention measures should be applied to people in different dietary behavior changes.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; China ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Diet Surveys ; Feeding Behavior ; psychology ; Female ; Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Nutritional Physiological Phenomena ; Population Surveillance ; Risk Reduction Behavior