Micronutrient Deficiencies Are Still Common among Chinese Children and Adolescents

Abstract

Protein‐energy malnutrition is rapidly decreasing in China, while few studies reported the status of micronutrient malnutrition. To explore the trends and associated factors of micronutrients intakes, including calcium, iron, zinc, Selenium, Vitamin A, vitamin B1, vitamin B2 and vitamin C, we analyzed dietary intake data among Chinese children and adolescents aged 4 to 17 years collected in an open cohort study, the China Health and Nutrition Survey (CHNS) from 1991 to 2011. We collected dietary data by using consecutive three 24‐hour recalls in combination with weighing methods. We assessed nutrient intake status by using the newly released estimated average requirement (EAR) for Chinese children. On average, daily calcium intake increased from 297.2 mg/day in 1991 to 310.2 mg/day in 2011 among boys and from 283.0 mg/day to 301.6 mg/day among girls during the same period. 11.4% to 18.5% of boys and 9.0% to 13% of girls reached the EAR levels for calcium. The average daily zinc intake of Chinese children decreased from 10.4 mg/day in 1991 to 9.6 mg/day in 2011, with only 21.5% of children reaching the EAR levels. Other micronutrient deficiencies are common. Multivariate analyses showed that micronutrient deficiencies are more common among girls than boys (p < 0.05) and among low income groups (p < 0.05). Micronutrients deficiencies should not be overlooked while most attentions are paid to childhood obesity in China.This study was supported by the NIH (R01‐HD30880) and the Fogarty International Center, NIH (5D43TW007709).