Malnutrition in infants aged 6-23 months in China’s poorest rural counties from 2016 to 2021: cross sectional study
Objectives To assess trends and differences in child malnutrition by population subgroups among infants aged 6-23 months in China’s poorest rural counties. Design Six consecutive cross sectional surveys were conducted annually. Setting The study was conducted in 116 counties in 19 provinces from 2016 to 2021, representing China’s 832 poorest counties. Participants A total of 210 088 participants were selected through a multistage cluster sampling procedure; all participants were infants aged 6-23 months. Main outcome measures Prevalence of anaemia, stunting, wasting, overweight, and growth status in children (measured by length-for-age and weight-for-length z scores). Results Four main malnutrition forms were prevalent in 2016: anaemia (prevalence 18.3%), stunting (7.5%), wasting (4.7%), and overweight (3.1%). The prevalence of any two coexisting malnutrition forms was low. All four forms of malnutrition decreased from 2016 to 2021. Anaemia decreased by more than half, with an annual r
