Asian Journal of Current Research

Objective: To analyze the nutritional status and growth trends of 3-6-year-old preschool children in Youjiang District, Baise City from 2019 to 2023, and provide a basis for child health care.

Methods: Retrospectively collected physical examination data of 126,159 children were used in this study. Nutritional indicators were evaluated according to the Chinese Reference Standards for Growth and Development of Children Under 7 Years Old and the WHO 2006 standards. Statistical analysis was performed using Kolmogorov-Smirnov normality test. Normally distributed continuous data were expressed as mean±standard deviation (x±s), while categorical data were described using frequency and percentage (%). Group differences in rates were compared using chi-square test and chi-square trend test. The significance level was set at α=0.05 for two-tailed tests.

Results: (1) The incidence rates of wasting (X²_trend =330.665, P < 0.001) and obesity (X²_trend =143.361, P < 0.001) showed an upward trend with age. The overweight and obesity rate in boys (9.84%-11.40%) was significantly higher than that in girls (6.28%-7.55%) (X²=7130.010, P < 0.001)(2) The overall anemia detection rate was 14.97%, which failed to meet the national control target (below 10%). It dropped to 13.61% in 2023 after intervention. All data differences were statistically significant.

Conclusion: The growth retardation rate met the national standard, but problems such as the coexistence of wasting and obesity and a high anemia detection rate were identified. It is recommended to strengthen nutrition education, optimize dietary structures, incorporate thalassemia gene testing into routine physical examinations, and enhance special project management for high-risk children as well as quality control of grassroots screening.