The nutritional status of young children and feeding practices two years after the Wenchuan Earthquake in the worst-affected areas in China.

• DOI: 10.6133/apjcn.2013.22.1.19
• Publication Date: 2013-01-01
• Authors: Jing Sun; Junsheng Huo; Liyun Zhao; Ping Fu; Jie Wang; Jian Huang; Lijuan Wang; Pengkun Song; Zheng Fang; Suying Chang; Shi-an Yin; Jian Zhang; Guansheng Ma
• Keywords: Underweight; Dietary Diversity; Age groups

This study was carried out to investigate the nutritional status and feeding practices of young children in worst-affected areas China two years after Wenchuan Earthquake. The sample consisted 1,254 6-23 months age living four selected counties from disaster-affected provinces Sichuan, Shaanxi Gansu. Length-for-age, weight-for-age, weight-for-length, hemoglobin concentration were used evaluate status. Interviews with children's caretakers collected basic demographic information, medical history, child practices. Stunting, underweight, wasting prevalence rates 10.8%, 4.9% 2.8% respectively, anemia 52.2%. Only 12.3% had initiated breastfeeding within first hour birth. Overall, 90.9% ever been breastfed, 87% 6-8 received solid, semi-solid or soft foods day before interview. diets 45% met definition minimum dietary diversity, 39% breastfed 7.6% non- criteria for meal frequency. results highlight that a substantial proportion earthquake affected disaster continue have various forms malnutrition, an especially high anemia, most are suboptimal. Further efforts should be made enhance these children. As part this intervention, it may necessary improve