Status of anemia and iron deficiency among primary and secondary school students in Rural Nutrition Improvement Program areas of Guizhou Province in 2023
10.16835/j.cnki.1000-9817.2026040
- VernacularTitle:贵州省2023年农村营养改善计划地区中小学生贫血和铁缺乏状况
- Author:
ZHU Shu, GUO Hua, LI Hongbo, SHI Zhu, WU Shengnan, HUANG Yiyanwen, SUN Yan, LIU Yiya
1
Author Information
1. School of Public Health, Guizhou Medical University/the Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution Monitoring and Disease Control,Ministry of Education, Guiyang 561113, Guizhou Province, China
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
Nutrition policy;
Anemia;
Iron;
Regression analysis;
Students;
Rural population
- From:
Chinese Journal of School Health
2026;47(2):178-182
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
-
Abstract:
To analyze the prevalence of anemia and iron deficiency among primary and secondary school students in Rural Nutrition Improvement Program areas of Guizhou Province in 2023, and to explore the related factors, so as to provide evidence for Rural Nutrition Improvement Program optimization.
Methods:In September 2023, a stratified random cluster sampling strategy was used to select 40 rural compulsory education schools with rural nutrition improvement program in five counties of Guizhou Province. School level questionnaire was employed to collect information of basic characteristics and school meal implementation. A total of 7 826 primary and secondary school students aged 6-16 underwent anthropometry and hemoglobin (Hb) determination; serum ferritin (SF) was additionally measured in a random subsample of 1 795 pupils. Students in Grade 3 and above also completed a questionnaire covering demographic characteristics, dietary behaviours and nutrition knowledge. Group comparisons were conducted by Chi square test or Fisher s exact test, and multivariable Logistic regression models were constructed to identify factors associated with anemia and iron deficiency.
Results:The overall Hb level was (133.21±12.95)g/L, with an anemia prevalence of 7.17%. The overall SF level was (69.58±59.01)μg/L, with an iron deficiency prevalence of 2.73%. Multivariable analysis showed that stunting ( OR =1.88), school menus without nutrient calculation ( OR =1.61) and absence of menu planning software in the current semester ( OR =2.34) independently increased anemia risk, whereas obesity reduced it ( OR =0.54) (all P <0.05). Girls ( OR =4.16) and Grades 7-9 ( OR =5.93) increased iron deficiency risk (both P <0.05). Compared with rarely eating fresh vegetables, students with consuming <3 kinds per day ( OR =0.08) or exactly 3 kinds per day ( OR =0.06) had lower iron deficiency risks (both P <0.05).
Conclusions:Anemia and iron deficiency are prevalent among primary and secondary school students in Guizhou. Targeted intervention measures should be implemented for key populations to enhance the effectiveness of nutrition improvement program.
