Objective: To review the prevalence of double burden of malnutrition among primary and middle school students in Guangzhou during the school year 2004-2013,and to provide reference for nutrition intervention measures. Methods: A total of 48 primary and secondary schools were selected by purposeful sampling in eight urban areas of Guangzhou. Data on height and weight of students were collected and BMI were calculated in accordance with the National Manual for Physical Fitness and Health Research and Testing. Screening Standard for Malnutrition of Chinese School-age Children Adolescents to assess growth retardation and wasting. Using Screening for Overweight and Obesity among Chinese School-age Children Adolescents to assess overweight and obesity. The rates of growth retardation, wasting, overweight, obesity were calculated by sex and age groups; Differences among groups were analyzed by using χ2 tests; The annual growth rate is calculated by using the simple sequence time average method. Results: The prevalence of undernutrition among young students aged 6-18 in Guangzhou decreased from 16.74% (12 985/77 491) in 2004 to 10.69% (8 431/78 901) in 2013, with an average annual growth rate of -4.76%; The prevalence of male malnutrition decreased from 17.98% (7 011/39 004) to 11.47% (4 638/40 427); The prevalence of girls malnutrition decreased from 15.52% (5 974/38 487) to 9.86% (3 793/38 474). The detection rate of overweight and obesity increased from 13.92% (10 790/77 491) in 2004 to 20.26% (15 987/78 901), with an average annual growth rate of 4.35%. The detection rate of overweight obesity in boys increased from 17.26% (6 733/39 004) to 25.85% (10 452/40 427). The detection rate of overweight and obesity in girls increased from 10.54% (4 057/38 497) to 14.39% (5 535/38 474). Conclusion Guangzhou has stepped into one of the cities with double burden of malnutrition.

OBJECTIVEThis study aimed to explore the secular trends of overweight and obesity prevalence between 2007 and 2011 in children and adolescents in Guangzhou.

METHODSThe data of physical examination was collected from the routine measurements carried out by the Health Care Facilities of Primary and Secondary schools between 2007 and 2011. Random stratified cluster sampling was conducted, all the students aged 5-18 years old form 19 primary and secondary schools from 4 districts (Tianhe district, Yuexiu district, Baiyun district and Haizhu district) were included in this survey, including 27 944 students in 2007 and 38 284 students in 2011. Body mass index reference norm established by Working Group on Obesity in China (WGOC) and the WHO cut-off criteria were employed for overweight and obesity screening, and the trend was analyzed.

RESULTSPrevalence of obesity in children and adolescents (7-18 years old) significantly increased from 5.96% (1 553/26 055) in 2007 to 6.56% (2 339/35 664) in 2011, and the difference showed statistical significance (χ(2) = 9.195, P < 0.05). Overweight and obesity was more common in boys (overweight: 13.25% (1 766/13 329) in 2007 and 13.87% (2 559/18 451) in 2011; obesity: 7.82% (1 042/13 329) in 2007 and 8.63% (1 592/18 451) in 2011) than in girls (overweight: 7.43% (946/12 726) in 2007 and 8.17% (1 406/17 213) in 2011; obesity: 4.11% (523/12 726) in 2007 and 4.48% (771/17 213) in 2011), and the difference showed statistical significance (overweight:χ(2) = 236.123 in 2007 and χ(2) = 292.892 in 2011; obesity:χ(2) = 158.533 in 2007 and χ(2) = 247.794 in 2011. All P values < 0.05). Further analysis found that significant increases occurred in boys aged 16 and 17 years old and in girls aged 12 years old (boy: 16 years old,χ(2) = 6.820, P < 0.05. 17 years old, χ(2) = 4.893, P < 0.05. girl: 12 years old,χ(2) = 5.921, P < 0.05).

RESULTSof Join-point regression showed that for boys less than 10 years old the prevalence increased with age increasing (in 2007, APC = 3.75; in 2011, APC = 1.76), while over 10 years old the prevalence decreased with age increasing (in 2007, 10-18 years old's APC = -18.58; in 2011, 10-18 years old's APC = -15.95). While for girls the prevalence of obesity increased with age increasing between 7-9 years old (APC = 12.16), decreased with age increasing through 9 to 18 years old (APC = -17.23) in 2007. The prevalence decreased with age increasing for girls in 2011 (APC = -4.66).

CONCLUSIONThe prevalence of obesity is high and still increasing in children and adolescents in Guangzhou, and it is higher in boys than in girls. It is more likely to become obesity at 10 years for boys, and for girls the prevalence decrease with age increasing.

Adolescent ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; China ; epidemiology ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Obesity ; epidemiology ; Overweight ; epidemiology ; Prevalence