Vitamin D status and the prevalence of deficiency in lactating women from eight provinces and municipalities in China.

BACKGROUND: Vitamin D deficiency has become prevalent worldwide in recent years. However, less evidence was available for lactating women. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of the study was to understand vitamin D status and prevalence of deficiency in lactating women and associated risk factors for vitamin D deficiency from eight provinces and municipalities in China. METHODS: Lactating women within 1-10 months postpartum were recruited in 2011-2013 from eight provinces and municipalities in China. Radioimmunoassay was used to measure serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] concentration. Standardized questionnaire was used to collect information on season, living site, ethnicity and socio-demographic characteristics. RESULTS: Totally 2004 lactating women were recruited. The median (p25, p75) of 25(OH)D was 15.8 (10.5, 24.0) nmol/L. The prevalence of vitamin D deficiency was 85.3% as 25(OH)D <30nmol/L. Serum 25(OH)D levels of lactating women were significantly lower during October-January (14.0nmol/L) than during February-May (18.0nmol/L) (P<0.001), and were significantly higher in Dai ethnicity (22.5nmol/L) than in Hui ethnicity (Chinese Muslims) (9.0nmol/L) (P<0.001). For every 10,000 CNY annual income per capita increasing, serum 25(OH)D levels significantly increased 1.04 times (P<0.001). The odds of vitamin D deficiency in winter were 2.56 times higher than that in spring (OR 2.56, 95%CI: 1.91-3.43). CONCLUSIONS: Vitamin D deficiency of lactating women was highly prevalent in the eight provinces and municipalities in China. It is urgent to study the strategy and intervention ways for improving vitamin D status of lactating women, especially for certain population groups during low sunlight exposure season.

Effectiveness of community-based complementary food supplement (Yingyangbao) distribution in children aged 6-23 months in poor areas in China.

BACKGROUND: Poor growth and micronutrient deficiency mainly attack older infants and young children. Some countries have adopted clinically effective measures to combat malnutrition, but the compliance and improvement in efficacy of intervention vehicles in national programs require evaluation. METHODS: Baseline and follow-up cross-sectional surveys were conducted before and after a nutrition intervention program in 3 national poverty counties in China. Soybean-based complementary food supplements called Yingyangbao (YYB) in Chinese and training materials on child feeding were distributed to households with children aged 6-23 months for 18 months. Representative children were selected by probability proportional to size sampling methods to assess compliance of YYB and the intervention efficacy. A questionnaire was designed to collect data on basic characteristics of children, breastfeeding, 24-hour dietary intake, and consumption and appetite of YYB. Anthropometrics and hemoglobin were measured in the field, and anemia prevalence was evaluated. Venous blood was drawn from children aged 12-35 months to evaluate micronutrient status. Logistic regression was used to identify the risk factors for children's anemia. RESULTS: Of the children involved in the follow-up survey (n = 693), the P50 (P25, P75) intake of YYB was 6.7 (3.5, 7.0) sachets weekly, and 54.7% of the children liked the taste of YYB. Compared with the baseline situation (n = 823), the proportion of children fed a diverse diet and foods rich in iron or vitamin A increased (P < 0.01) in the follow-up study. The prevalence of stunting and underweight decreased (P < 0.05), the prevalence of anemia decreased from 28.0% to 19.9% (P < 0.01), and the prevalence of vitamin B12 deficiency decreased from 26.8% to 15.4% (P < 0.01). For children aged 12-23 months, those who liked YYB and consumed 6 or more sachets of YYB weekly were at lower risk for anemia (OR = 0.34, 95% CI 0.13-0.90, P < 0.05), but the risk of stunting was associated with a non-diverse diet (OR = 1.48, 95% CI 1.06-2.07, P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The quality of diet and nutritional status of children aged 6-23 months are significantly improved by the intervention of YYB and nutrition education, and good compliance to YYB contributes to a low risk for anemia. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Chinese Clinical Trial Registry ChiCTR-OOC-16008846.

An on-line database for human milk composition in China.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Understanding human milk composition is critical for setting nutrient recommended intakes (RNIs) for both infants and lactating women. However, nationwide human milk composition remains unavailable in China. METHODS AND STUDY DESIGN: Through cross-sectional study, human milk samples from 11 provinces in China were collected and their compositions were analyzed. Nutritional and health status of the lactating women and their infants were evaluated through questionnaire, physical examination and biochemical indicators. RESULTS: A total of 6,481 breast milk samples including colostrum (1,859), transitional milk (1,235) and mature milk (3,387) were collected. Contents of protein, fat, lactose, total solid and energy of more than 4,500 samples were analyzed using a human milk analyzer. About 2,000 samples were randomly selected for 24 mineral analyses. Free B-vitamins including thiamin, riboflavin, pyridoxal, pyridomine, pyridoxamine, nicotinamide, nicotinic acid, flavin adenine dinucleotide (FAD), biotin and pantothenic acid were analyzed in 1,800 samples. Amino acids (~800) and proteins (alpha-lactoalbumin, beta-casein, and lactoferrin) were analyzed. In addition, serum retinol and carotenoids, 25(OH)D, vitamin B-12, folic acid, ferritin and biochemical indicators (n=1,200 to 2,000) were analysed in the lactating women who provided the breast milk. Ongoing work: Fatty acids (C4-C24), fatsoluble vitamins and carotenoids, are on-going analysis. CONCLUSIONS: A regional breast milk compositional database is at an advanced stage of development in China with the intention that it be available on-line.

The relationship between socioeconomic development and malnutrition in children younger than 5 years in China during the period 1990 to 2010.

UNLABELLED: BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES：More than 30 years of socioeconomic development in China has improved living conditions which contributed to a steep decline in malnutrition prevalence of children under 5 years. To elucidate the role of socioeconomic development in improving nutritional status and to identify appropriate policy priorities for intervention in nutrition improvement for younger children. METHODS AND STUDY DESIGN: We collected data on socioeconomic development, education, cultural and recreational services, food consumption, average family size and malnutrition prevalence from national surveys. RESULTS: From 1990 to 2010, Gross Domestic Product (GDP) per capita increased from 1644 Chinese Yuan (CNY) to 30,015 CNY; average disposable income and food expenditure per capita significantly increased in urban and rural areas; per capita consumption for education increased from 112 CNY to 1628 CNY and from 15.3 CNY to 367 CNY for other cultural services; illiteracy rate decreased from 15.9% to 4.1%; average family size from 3.97 to 3.10; and prevalence of stunting and underweight decreased from 33.1% to 9.9% and 13.7% to 3.6%, respectively. However, anaemia prevalence did not obviously decline between 1992 and 2000. After adjusting confounding effects of variables, negative relationships were observed between GDP per capita, average family size and stunting or underweight prevalence. However, no association was observed between illiteracy rate and prevalence of stunting and underweight, and there was no correlation between GDP per capita, illiteracy rate, average family size and anaemia prevalence. CONCLUSIONS: Our results indicated that economic development cannot solve all nutritional problems and comprehensive national developmental strategies should be considered to combat malnutrition.

Application of UPLC-MS/MS Method for Analyzing B-vitamins in Human Milk.

OBJECTIVE: To determine ten B-vitamins in human milk by ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS). METHODS: The pretreated human milk samples were adequately separated and quantified within 11 min by UPLC-MS/MS with an Acquity UPLC HSS T3 column (2.1×100 mm, 1.8 µm). The mobile phase was a gradient of 2.5 mmol/L ammonium formate aqueous solution and acetonitrile at a flow rate of 0.35 mL/min. Stable isotope internal standards were used in the analysis, to correct for the method variability, including matrix and ionization effects. The homogenized human milk samples were deproteinzed using methanol, unknown contaminants were extracted with diethyl ether and hydrophobic phase was discarded. The analytes were monitored via ESI+ionization and detected in multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) with three acquisition functions. RESULTS: Calibration curves ranged from 0.5-160 ng/mL (thiamin, riboflavin, biotin, nicotinic acid, pyridoxine, pyridoxamine, pyridoxal), and 2.5-800 ng/mL (pantothenic acid, FAD and nicotinamide) (R2=0.990-0.999). The relative recovery ranged from 80.1% to 120.2%; accuracy was determined to be 98.3% to 108.0%. Intra-day and inter-day variation were 3.4%-19.9% and 5.9%-18.1%, respectively. The limit of quantification (LOQ) for all vitamins was between 0.25 and 3 µg/L. CONCLUSION: This method was successfully applied for simultaneous analysis of ten B-vitamins in human milk.

The Influence of Malnutrition and Micronutrient Status on Anemic Risk in Children under 3 Years Old in Poor Areas in China.

BACKGROUND: Malnutrition and anemia affect large numbers of young children living in poor areas of China. Multi-micronutrient deficiencies may be related to the prevalence of anemia in different populations, and identifying the risk factors that render children susceptible to anemia is the first step in combating anemia effectively. METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, a total of 1370 children under 3 years old were selected based on probability proportional to size sampling principles from poor counties of China. Basic characteristics data were collected by questionnaire; then anthropometrics and hemoglobin were measured in the field and anemia prevalence evaluated. Venous blood was drawn from children aged 12-35 months (N = 553) to evaluate micronutrient status. Logistic regression was used to identify the risk factors for children's anemia. RESULTS: Among children aged 0-35 months, the prevalence of stunting, low body weight and wasting was 17.5%, 8.6% and 5.1%, respectively, and 25.6% of the children were affected by anemia, with more anemic infants and younger children than older children (P <0.01). There were 26.5%, 12.8%, 14.1% and 20.0% of the children aged 12-35 months affected by iron deficiency, vitamin D deficiency, folic acid deficiency and vitamin B12 deficiency, respectively. For children aged 0-11 months who were breastfed, the mothers' anemic status was the only factor associated with the child's anemia (OR = 2.6; 95% CI: 1.2-5.4, P < 0.05). For children aged 12-35 months, multivariate logistic regression indicated that anemia was significantly associated with iron and vitamin B12 deficiency (OR = 5.3; 95% CI: 1.9-14.5, P < 0.01) and monotonous diet (OR = 2.3; 95% CI: 1.1-4.7, P < 0.05) after adjusting for age and gender. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of anemia was higher in children under 2 years old and requires urgent intervention. An effective intervention strategy should include iron and vitamin B12 supplements, improving dietary diversity and controlling breastfeeding mothers' anemia.

B-Vitamin Levels in Human Milk among Different Lactation Stages and Areas in China.

To determine the contents of B-vitamins in human milk in China, we analyzed 1778 human milk samples from the sample bank of the National High Technique R & D Program (863 Projects) which was a cross-sectional survey and covered 6419 human milk samples from healthy lactating mothers who were at different stages of lactation (0-330 days postpartum) in 11 provinces of China. The contents of free forms of six B-vitamins in these human milk samples were analyzed by using UPLC-MS/MS. The median concentrations of free form of 6 B-vitamins in colostrums, transitional milk, 15-180 d mature milk and 181-330 d mature milk were respectively as follows: thiamin 5.0 µg/L, 6.7 µg/L, 21.1 µg/L and 40.7 µg/L; riboflavin 29.3 µg/L, 40.6 µg/L, 33.6 µg/L and 29.6 µg/L; niacin 470.7 µg/L, 661.3 µg/L, 687.0 µg/L and 571.3 µg/L; vitamin B-6 4.6 µg/L, 16.1 µg/L, 62.7 µg/L and 80.7 µg/L; flavin adenine dinucleotide (FAD) 808.7 µg/L, 1162.8 µg/L, 1023.9 µg/L and 1057.2 µg/L; pantothenic acid 1770.9 µg/L, 2626.8 µg/L, 2213.0 µg/L and 1895.5 µg/L. The contents of 6 B-vitamins varied significantly among the different lactation stages and different areas (coastal area vs inland area, rural area vs urban area). The present study indicated that the concentrations of B-vitamins in colostrum were generally much lower than those in transitional milk and mature milk. Further studies are warranted for their roles and significance on B-vitamins in colostrum in nutrition and metabolism of neonates.

Evaluating the micronutrient status of women of child-bearing age living in the rural disaster areas one year after Wenchuan Earthquake.

Populations with special physiological state, such as pregnant, nursing and women of child-bearing age, have been identified as nutritionally vulnerable during natural disaster. The objective of this survey was to evaluate the prevalence of anaemia and micronutrient status of women of reproductive age in April 2009 one year after the Wenchuan Earthquake. The survey recruited 58 pregnant, 66 lactating and 242 women of child-bearing age from 19 to 45 years. The concentrations of haemoglobin in whole blood and ferritin and micronutrients in serum were assayed. Among the three groups (pregnant, nursing and child-bearing women), respectively, the prevalence of anaemia was 29.1%, 25.5% and 28.8%; that of iron deficiency was 45.4%, 49.0% and 52.9%; and that of zinc deficiency was 45.4%, 23.0% and 33.5%. The sum of vitamin D deficiency and insufficiency was more than 90% in each group, and the total vitamin B12 deficiency and marginal deficiency prevalence percentages were 47.3%, 17.7% and 35.7%, respectively. The prevalence of vitamin A deficiency and marginal deficiency was 1.8% and 9.1% in pregnant women, 6.1% and 15.2% in nursing women and 8.6% and 21.3% in women of child-bearing age, respectively. Our findings indicated that the micronutrient status of women of reproductive age was poor in the disaster areas. Therefore, improving the micronutrient status of these women should be an urgent priority in these areas.

Growth and anaemia among infants and young children for two years after the Wenchuan earthquake.

BACKGROUND: In order to monitor malnutrition morbidity and anaemic prevalence of infants and young children in rural disaster areas affected by Wenchuan earthquake. METHODS: About three months, one year and two years after earthquake (including 77, 102 and 307 children, respectively), by using the questionnaires, information on nutritional and health status of infants and young children aged 6-23 months was collected and evaluated, and anthropometry and haemoglobin concentration were measured. RESULTS: Most of families could not prepare complementary foods for their children so that the children only ate the same meals as adults which resulted in very poor situation in the quantity and quality of complementary food for infants and young children. The main nutritional problems in children included the lack of feeding knowledge in parents; only 10% children could have breast feeding within one hour after delivery, and the basic exclusive breastfeeding was lower. More than 90% children never received nutrient supplements. The malnutrition prevalence was significantly increased two years after the earthquake. The decrease of body weight was rapid (underweight prevalence from 0 at three months to 5.9% after two years), and then a lasting effect resulted in decrease of length shown by stunting prevalence from 6.6% at three months to 10.8% after two years and wasting prevalence from 1.3% at three months to 4.0% after two years. From three months to two years after earthquake, anaemic prevalence markedly increased from 36.5% to 67.5% and the increasing percentage of anaemia was more obvious in girls than boys. CONCLUSION: The child's nutritional status continuously worsened and anaemic prevalence was high in areas affected by the earthquake. It is recommended that in the future nutrition interventions should begin immediately.

The micronutrient status of children aged 24-60 months living in rural disaster areas one year after the Wenchuan Earthquake.

OBJECTIVE: In order to evaluate micronutrient status of children aged 24-60 months living in rural disaster areas after one year of the earthquake in Wenchuan. DESIGN: After one year of Wenchuan Earthquake, using PPS sampling methods, a total of 270 children from six-randomized townships near seismic center, in each township sample size consisted of 30 to 50 children, were sampled for evaluating Z-score of children's growth status, anemia prevalence, vitamin A, vitamin D, vitamin B12, folic acid status. Final sample consisted of 152 boys and 118 girls, and blood samples were drawn from 206 children. RESULTS: The stunting (HAZ<2SD) and wasting (WHZ<2SD) were respectively 14.7% and 0.7%. Prevalence of anemia was 17.3% and percentage of iron deficiency was 45.7%. The prevalence of vitamin A deficiency and marginal deficiency was 15.4% and 30.3%, respectively. The sum of vitamin D deficiency and marginal deficiency was near 90%. Percentages of Zinc deficiency including marginal and deficiency were 65.5%. Percentages of vitamin B12 marginal and deficiency were 8.6% and 10.6% and the prevalence of marginal deficiency was significantly higher in boys than in girls. Folic acid deficiency was not found in surveyed children using serum folic acid level <16.9 ng/ml. CONCLUSION: In areas affected by Earthquake, preschool children had higher stunting prevalence and a relatively higher prevalence suffered from micronutrient deficiencies, including iron-deficiency anemia, and deficiencies of iron, zinc, vitamin A and vitamin B12.

Prospective study on the effectiveness of complementary food supplements on improving status of elder infants and young children in the areas affected by Wenchuan earthquake.

OBJECTIVE: To prospectively evaluate the efficiency of daily providing complementary food supplements decreasing malnutrition and anemia prevalence in elder infants and young children living in areas affected by Wenchuan Earthquake. DESIGN: Using promotional probability sampling method, 250 to 300 children from six-randomized townships (30 to 50 children in each township) in Kang County affected by the Earthquake were randomly chosen for follow up to evaluate intervention effectiveness using anthropometric measurement and hemoglobin level at six, twelve and eighteen months after start of intervention. SETTING AND SUBJECTS: All children from 6 to 18 months of age in Kang County (in North Western China) were daily provided with complementary food supplements containing multiple vitamins and minerals for up to 24 months of age. The intervention period lasted for one and half year. RESULTS: At beginning of intervention, malnutrition prevalence, including underweight, stunting and wasting were respectively 4.5%, 8.9% and 3.5%; anemia prevalence was 74.3%. After one and half year intervention, the growth and anemia status were significantly improved; the percentages of wasting, stunting underweight prevalence were decreased from 3.5%, 8.9% and 4.5% to 1.7%, 5.0% and 3.3% respectively, and the anemia rates were significantly decreased. CONCLUSIONS: Our results indicated that an intervention using complementary food supplements could improve nutritional status and elevate hemoglobin level in elder infants and young children, which would significantly decrease the prevalence of malnutrition and anemia.

ß-Carotene in Golden Rice is as good as ß-carotene in oil at providing vitamin A to children.

BACKGROUND: Golden Rice (GR) has been genetically engineered to be rich in ß-carotene for use as a source of vitamin A. OBJECTIVE: The objective was to compare the vitamin A value of ß-carotene in GR and in spinach with that of pure ß-carotene in oil when consumed by children. DESIGN: Children (n = 68; age 6-8 y) were randomly assigned to consume GR or spinach (both grown in a nutrient solution containing 23 atom% ²H2O) or [²H8]ß-carotene in an oil capsule. The GR and spinach ß-carotene were enriched with deuterium (²H) with the highest abundance molecular mass (M) at M(ß-C)+²H10. [¹³C10]Retinyl acetate in an oil capsule was administered as a reference dose. Serum samples collected from subjects were analyzed by using gas chromatography electron-capture negative chemical ionization mass spectrometry for the enrichments of labeled retinol: M(retinol)+4 (from [²H8]ß-carotene in oil), M(retinol)+5 (from GR or spinach [²H10]ß-carotene), and M(retinol)+10 (from [¹³C10]retinyl acetate). RESULTS: Using the response to the dose of [¹³C10]retinyl acetate (0.5 mg) as a reference, our results (with the use of AUC of molar enrichment at days 1, 3, 7, 14, and 21 after the labeled doses) showed that the conversions of pure ß-carotene (0.5 mg), GR ß-carotene (0.6 mg), and spinach ß-carotene (1.4 mg) to retinol were 2.0, 2.3, and 7.5 to 1 by weight, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The ß-carotene in GR is as effective as pure ß-carotene in oil and better than that in spinach at providing vitamin A to children. A bowl of ~100 to 150 g cooked GR (50 g dry weight) can provide ~60% of the Chinese Recommended Nutrient Intake of vitamin A for 6-8-y-old children.

Spirulina can increase total-body vitamin A stores of Chinese school-age children as determined by a paired isotope dilution technique.

Spirulina is an alga rich in high-quality protein and carotenoids. It is unclear whether spirulina can improve the total-body vitamin A stores of school-age children in China with a high prevalence of vitamin A malnutrition. We aimed to evaluate the efficacy of spirulina in improving the total-body vitamin A stores of school-age children in rural areas of China when they consumed spirulina in their daily meals. A total of 228 children (6-11 years) were recruited and randomly divided into three groups supplemented with 4 g (containing 4·18 µg ß-carotene), 2 g (containing 2·54 µg ß-carotene) or 0 g spirulina 5 d/week for 10 weeks, respectively. Before and after the intervention period, each child was given 0·5 mg [(2)H4]retinyl acetate and [(2)H8]retinyl acetate, respectively. To assess vitamin A stores, blood samples (3 ml) were collected on the third and the twenty-first day after each labelled retinyl acetate dose for a retinol enrichment analysis using a GC mass spectrometer. The concentrations of retinol and ß-carotene in serum samples were also determined by using HPLC. After the 10-week intervention, serum ß-carotene concentrations of children with 2 or 4 g spirulina supplement increased by 0·160 and 0·389 µmmol/l, respectively. Total-body vitamin A stores increased significantly, with a median increase of 0·160 mmol in children taking 2 g spirulina and of 0·279 mmol in children taking 4 g spirulina. Spirulina is a good dietary source of ß-carotene, which may effectively increase the total-body vitamin A stores of Chinese school-age children.

[Association of pre-pregnancy body weight, gestational weight gain and postpartum weight retention among women in Beijing].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the relationship of pre-pregnancy body weight, gestational weight gain and postpartum weight retention among women in Beijing. METHODS: Using a cohort design, 600 pregnant women who went to district obstetrics and gynecology hospital in Beijing to establish preconception health care card from 5(th) February to 15(th) March 2009 were recruited. A total of 112 subjects (109 with valid data), 20% of that in baseline, were followed up at 6 months after delivery.70 subjects (66 with valid data) were followed up at one year after delivery. Weight, weight changes and postpartum weight retention were measured for low weight (BMI < 18.5 kg/m(2)), normal weight (18.5 kg/m(2) ≤ BMI ≤ 24.0 kg/m(2)) and overweight or obesity (BMI > 24.0 kg/m(2)) group. RESULTS: The pre-pregnancy weight and antenatal weight were (54.8 ± 8.0) and (70.8 ± 9.3) kg respectively. Gestational weight gain was (16.0 ± 7.0) kg. The postpartum weight of 6 and 12 months were (60.5 ± 9.4) and (57.6 ± 8.6) kg respectively. Comparing to pre-pregnancy, postpartum weight retention in 6 months and 12 months were (5.7 ± 4.5) and (2.7 ± 4.5) kg, weight retention rates were (10.6 ± 8.6)% and (5.2 ± 9.3)%. Antenatal weight among low pre-pregnancy weight group, normal weight and overweight and obese women were (62.6 ± 5.7), (69.9 ± 6.6) and (84.2 ± 9.9) kg, and weight at postpartum 12 months among 3 groups were (49.3 ± 3.2), (56.5 ± 6.9) and (70.5 ± 6.0) kg respectively (F = 25.3, P < 0.01); At postpartum 12 months, low pre-pregnancy weight group ((5.6 ± 5.9) kg), overweight and obese women group ((4.7 ± 1.9) kg) postpartum weight retention was significantly higher than that of the normal weight group ((1.8 ± 4.3) kg) (F = 3.82, P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The pre-pregnancy body weight is a key risk factor in weight gain during pregnancy and postpartum weight retention.

[Nutrition and health status of pregnant women in 8 provinces in China].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate nutrition and health status of pregnant women in China. METHODS: 16 counties cities in 8 Provinces in China were selected to investigate nutrition and health information for pregnant women. RESULTS: The averaged age of pregnant women was 27.1 years old, and 6.3 percent of pregnant women are over 35 years old. The proportion rates of pregnant women who consumed supplements before or during pregnance accounted for 81.8% in city and 57.8% in rural (P < 0.01). Anaemia prevalence was 14% with significant difference between urban and rural, P < 0.01. The rate of sural spasm during pregnancy was 39.3%. Low daily intakes of protein, retinol equivalence, calcium, iron were the major nutritional problem. Calcium deficiency was the leading problem. Pregnant women got health improvement kowlege mainly from relatives, friends, hospitals or medical centers, books and televisions, furthermore, internet was a main media for city women. CONCLUSION: Low daily intakes of protein and micronutrients were major problems for pregnant women.

[Relation of long-term consumption of school milk to bone density in children].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the status of bone density of children consumed school milk for relative long-term period. METHOD: According to the frequency and duration that children had consumed school milk, cluster sampling of 435 children (10-12 years old, including 188 boys and 247 girls.) were sampled to divided into two groups, that is milk consumption group and seldom milk consumption group, the children in milk consumption group had consumed the school milk 4 time weekly and duration for more than 1 year or 1-3 times weekly and duration for more than 3 years and this group included 220 children. Right forearm length, bone width of 1/3 distal end of radius and ulna, bone mineral content, bone density, serum calcium and phosphorus contents were determined. The research was carried out from July to August (2009) in Changsha, Hunan Province. RESULT: Right forearm length of the milk consumption group boys 22.53 cm +/- 1.63 cm) was significantly longer than that of seldom milk consumption group (21.95 cm+/- 1.75 cm, P < 0.05, radius width (1.37 +/- 0.237 cm) was significantly larger than that of seldom milk consumption group (1.300 cm +/- 0.176 cm), P < 0.05, bone mineral content (0.690 +/- 0.270) was significantly higher than that of seldom milk consumption group (0.599 +/- 0.090) , P < 0.01, bone density of radius (0.498 +/- 0.135) was significantly higher than that of seldom milk consumption group (0.469 +/- 0.081), P < 0.05. Bone density of radius of girls (0.489 +/- 0.076) was significantly higher than that of seldom milk consumption group (0.469 +/- 0.081), P < 0.05, bone mineral content of ulna (0.564 +/- 0.176) was significantly higher than that of seldom milk consumption group (0.512 +/- 0.100), P < 0.01, bone density of ulna (0.470 +/- 0.129) was significantly higher than that of seldom milk consumption group (0.439 +/- 0.059), P < 0.05. The state of children consumed school milk was correlative closely with type and characteristics of milk. CONCLUSION: The long-term consumption of school milk could increase their bone density and the type and characteristics of milk would have effect on the practice and generalization of the school milk planning.

[The nutritional status of reproductive women at one year after the disaster of Earthquake in Wenchuan].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effects of Wenchuan Earthquake on the nutritional status and the prevalence of nutritional anemia, vitamin A deficiency (VAD) and vitamin D deficiency among reproductive women (15 - 44 years old) in the disaster areas one year after the Earthquake. METHODS: A nutritional survey was conducted in 3 counties in April 2009, one year after the Earthquake. Two towns from each county were selected as study sites, and this survey recruited 58 pregnant, 66 lactating and 242 non-pregnant-non-lactating women. A comparison was made to the results of 2002 Chinese Nutrition and Health Survey. RESULTS: The cereals and roots intakes of the pregnant, lactating and non-pregnant-non-lactating women living in the disaster area were (426.8 ± 271.8), (568.0 ± 306.1), and (483.0 ± 277.7) g/d respectively, which were almost the same results (486.8, 509.3 and 495.1 g/d, respectively) from 2002 National Nutrition and Health Survey. The fat and oil intakes were (41.9 ± 51.6), (55.5 ± 69.2), and (66.9 ± 125.7) g/d, respectively, which were also the same ad the results (45.2, 43.9 and 41.4 g/d, respectively) from 2002 National Nutrition and Health Survey. The intakes of meats and poultries were only (58.1 ± 67.7), (76.3 ± 218.7), and (23.9 ± 29.6) g/d respectively, which were much lower than the recommended food intakes from the Branch of Maternal and Child Nutrition of Chinese Nutrition Society. The vitamin A deficiency and marginal deficiency prevalence were 6.9% (24/347) and 18.2% (63/347), respectively. The deficiency and insufficiency of vitamin D was sum to 93.9% (323/344). The prevalence of anemia was 32.6% (112/344). 51.0% (171/335) reproductive women were iron deficient, and 61.6% (210/347) women were suffering zinc deficiency. CONCLUSION: The study findings indicated that the dietary structure was seriously effected by the Earthquake. The sources from animal and legume products were relatively low. The micronutrients nutritional status was poor. The vitamin A, vitamin D, and iron, zinc deficiencies were highly prevalent in the disaster area.

[The nutritional status among children under 60 months year-old after one year of the Earthquake in Wenchuan].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effects of Wenchuan Earthquake on the nutritional status, growth, and the prevalence nutritional anemia, vitamin A deficiency (VAD) and vitamin D deficiency among children under 60 months old living in the disaster areas. METHODS: A nutritional survey was conducted in April 2009. The survey recruited 466 under 60 months old children, including 162 children aged 0 months old and 304 children aged 24 - 59 months old. The children's growth status, prevalence of anemia, and the iron deficiency prevalence, vitamin A, D, B(12), folic acid status were measured. The study findings were compared to the results from 2002 Chinese Nutritional and Health Survey. RESULTS: The exclusive breast milk feeding rate among infants under 6-months was 58.8% (30/51). Among the 0 - 23 months old children, only 10.7% (16/150) got breast feeding within one hour after delivery. Ninety-two per cent (149/162) 0 - 23 months old children never received any nutrient supplements. The average cereals and roots intakes of the 24 - 59 months old children living in the disaster area were (267.2 ± 154.3) g/d, higher than the result of rural children average (178.75 g/d) of 2002 National Nutrition and Health Survey (u = 9.995, P < 0.01). The average intakes of vegetables, aquatic products, meat and poultries were (63.6 ± 56.7), (2.6 ± 7.9), (19.4 ± 24.0) g/d, respectively, significantly lower than 2002 results 135.05, 8.82 and 32.23 g/d (u = 21.971, 13.728 and 9.321, P < 0.01). Fruits, dairy products and legumes intakes were (102.2 ± 110.8), (65.2 ± 123.8) and (20.5 ± 29.0) g/d, respectively, higher than 2002 results (32.81, 2.87 and 6.50 g/d; u = 10.919, 8.778 and 8.417, P < 0.01). The prevalence of vitamin A deficiency and marginal deficiency was 15.4% (29/188) and 30.3% (57/188), respectively. The sum of vitamin D deficiency and insufficiency was 92.0% (183/199). The prevalence of anemia of the 0-months old children and 24 - 59 months old children was 47.5% (77/162) and 21.5% (60/279), respectively. The prevalence of iron and zinc deficiencies was 45.7% (86/188) and 65.5% (127/197). The prevalence of stunt was 13.6% (38/279) among the 24 - 59 months old children. CONCLUSION: The results indicated that the dietary structure of the children living in the disaster area was not ideal. Although, the intakes of energy and protein supporting foods could meet the requirements, but the dietary lacks of meats, poultries, dairy products, legume products, aquatic products and vegetables. The vitamin A, vitamin D deficiency, iron and zinc deficiencies are of a high prevalence in the disaster area.

[The nutrition status of special population living in the areas affected by Wenchuan Earthquake after 3 months].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate and analyze the nutritional status of infants, preschool and primary school students, pregnant and lactating women in Wenchuan earthquake disaster area after 3 months. METHODS: In August 2008, the nutritional and health status information of special population were collected and evaluated using the questionnaires, anthropometric and hemoglobin concentration measurements from four settlements of villages and towns in Mao and Mianzhu Country of Sichuan and Kang Country and Wudu District in Gansu provinces. A total of 236 infants aged below 36 months, 48 preschool children, 368 primary students, 32 pregnant women and 72 lactating women were investigated. Principal investigator indexes included the low body weight, growth retardation, anemia prevalence, two-week prevalence of diarrhea and respiratory disease, food intake and nutrition-related diseases, the percentage of patients morbidity of 36 months infants, preschool and primary school students; the prevalence of anemia, the prevalence of nutrition-related diseases of pregnant and lactating women. RESULTS: The stunting prevalence was 14.6% (34/236) and the anemia prevalence was up to 40.1% (61/236) among infants younger than 36 months. Besides, the percentages of infants and young children suffered from the respiratory-infected disease and diarrhea within recent two weeks were 40.4% (95/236) and 30.2% (71/236) respectively. The percentage of low body weight of preschool children was 14.6% (7/48) and the growth retardation and anemia prevalence was 14.6% (7/48) and 39.6% (19/48), respectively. Among primary students, 6.3% (23/368) showed growth retardation and 12.2% (45/368) were anemia. The prevalence of anemia status of pregnant women and lactating mothers were 53.9% (17/32) and 24.4% (18/72) respectively. The main food composition of 45.8% (33/72) lactating women were grain and vegetables, 29 (40.3%), 32 (44.4%), 28 (38.9%) and 53 (73.6%) lactating women did not have animal originated (including meat, aquatic, livestock and poultry products) food, eggs, beans and their products, milk and dairy products, respectively. CONCLUSION: Special population lived in disaster area have suffered different degree of malnutrition. The main dietary pattern was vegetable food. The consumption of meat, eggs, milk and milk products was relatively insufficient.