Evaluating the student nutrition improvement program: regional disparities and nutritional trends in Yunnan, China (2019–2023)
BackgroundIn order to improve the nutrition and health status of rural school-age children and to reduce malnutrition. This study evaluated the effects of the National Nutrition Improvement Program for Rural Compulsory Education Students (NNIP-RCES) in three counties (Midu, Xuanwei, and Xundian) in...
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Frontiers Media S.A.
2025-05-01
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| author | Fang Xu Xin Huang Long Yu Yadi Yang Litao Chang |
| author_facet | Fang Xu Xin Huang Long Yu Yadi Yang Litao Chang |
| author_sort | Fang Xu |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | BackgroundIn order to improve the nutrition and health status of rural school-age children and to reduce malnutrition. This study evaluated the effects of the National Nutrition Improvement Program for Rural Compulsory Education Students (NNIP-RCES) in three counties (Midu, Xuanwei, and Xundian) in Yunnan Province, China, in 2019, 2021, and 2023, and the findings highlight regional differences and future nutrition trends.MethodsAnthropometric indicators (height and weight) and biochemical markers (hemoglobin, Vitamin A, and Vitamin D) were measured and analyzed using linear mixed-effects models to identify temporal changes, regional differences, and the overall effectiveness of the program.ResultsThe program led to significant improvements in height (β = 0.42, p = 0.013), weight (β = 0.66, p < 0.001), and Vitamin A levels (β = 0.011, p < 0.001), demonstrating notable progress in physical growth and Vitamin A supplementation. However, hemoglobin levels declined significantly (β = −0.38, p = 0.005), particularly in Xundian, highlighting ongoing challenges in anemia prevention. Vitamin D levels remained stable with no significant improvements (p = 0.488), possibly influenced by factors such as limited dietary variety and seasonal variations in sun exposure. Additionally, considerable disparities in program outcomes were observed among counties, with Midu generally showing superior improvements compared to Xuanwei and Xundian.ConclusionWhile the NNIP-RCES effectively enhanced physical growth and alleviated Vitamin A deficiency, persistent anemia, unchanged Vitamin D levels, and marked regional disparities underscore critical areas requiring further attention. Future policy refinements should focus on targeted interventions addressing anemia prevention, Vitamin D supplementation, enhanced dietary diversity, and equitable resource allocation across regions. Strengthened monitoring frameworks and comprehensive nutrition education initiatives are also recommended to ensure sustainable improvements and serve as a model for global school-based nutritional interventions. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-856330a87d5e46f7b5d8e1dc5848ef6b |
| institution | Kabale University |
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| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-05-01 |
| publisher | Frontiers Media S.A. |
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| series | Frontiers in Public Health |
| spelling | doaj-art-856330a87d5e46f7b5d8e1dc5848ef6b2025-08-20T03:47:49ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Public Health2296-25652025-05-011310.3389/fpubh.2025.15857351585735Evaluating the student nutrition improvement program: regional disparities and nutritional trends in Yunnan, China (2019–2023)Fang Xu0Xin Huang1Long Yu2Yadi Yang3Litao Chang4School of Public Health, Kunming Medical University, Kunming, ChinaYunnan Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Kunming, ChinaWuhua District Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Kunming, ChinaSchool of Public Health, Kunming Medical University, Kunming, ChinaYunnan Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Kunming, ChinaBackgroundIn order to improve the nutrition and health status of rural school-age children and to reduce malnutrition. This study evaluated the effects of the National Nutrition Improvement Program for Rural Compulsory Education Students (NNIP-RCES) in three counties (Midu, Xuanwei, and Xundian) in Yunnan Province, China, in 2019, 2021, and 2023, and the findings highlight regional differences and future nutrition trends.MethodsAnthropometric indicators (height and weight) and biochemical markers (hemoglobin, Vitamin A, and Vitamin D) were measured and analyzed using linear mixed-effects models to identify temporal changes, regional differences, and the overall effectiveness of the program.ResultsThe program led to significant improvements in height (β = 0.42, p = 0.013), weight (β = 0.66, p < 0.001), and Vitamin A levels (β = 0.011, p < 0.001), demonstrating notable progress in physical growth and Vitamin A supplementation. However, hemoglobin levels declined significantly (β = −0.38, p = 0.005), particularly in Xundian, highlighting ongoing challenges in anemia prevention. Vitamin D levels remained stable with no significant improvements (p = 0.488), possibly influenced by factors such as limited dietary variety and seasonal variations in sun exposure. Additionally, considerable disparities in program outcomes were observed among counties, with Midu generally showing superior improvements compared to Xuanwei and Xundian.ConclusionWhile the NNIP-RCES effectively enhanced physical growth and alleviated Vitamin A deficiency, persistent anemia, unchanged Vitamin D levels, and marked regional disparities underscore critical areas requiring further attention. Future policy refinements should focus on targeted interventions addressing anemia prevention, Vitamin D supplementation, enhanced dietary diversity, and equitable resource allocation across regions. Strengthened monitoring frameworks and comprehensive nutrition education initiatives are also recommended to ensure sustainable improvements and serve as a model for global school-based nutritional interventions.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpubh.2025.1585735/fullnutrition improvement programrural school-aged childrenanthropometric indicatorsmicronutrient supplementationnutritional disparities |
| spellingShingle | Fang Xu Xin Huang Long Yu Yadi Yang Litao Chang Evaluating the student nutrition improvement program: regional disparities and nutritional trends in Yunnan, China (2019–2023) Frontiers in Public Health nutrition improvement program rural school-aged children anthropometric indicators micronutrient supplementation nutritional disparities |
| title | Evaluating the student nutrition improvement program: regional disparities and nutritional trends in Yunnan, China (2019–2023) |
| title_full | Evaluating the student nutrition improvement program: regional disparities and nutritional trends in Yunnan, China (2019–2023) |
| title_fullStr | Evaluating the student nutrition improvement program: regional disparities and nutritional trends in Yunnan, China (2019–2023) |
| title_full_unstemmed | Evaluating the student nutrition improvement program: regional disparities and nutritional trends in Yunnan, China (2019–2023) |
| title_short | Evaluating the student nutrition improvement program: regional disparities and nutritional trends in Yunnan, China (2019–2023) |
| title_sort | evaluating the student nutrition improvement program regional disparities and nutritional trends in yunnan china 2019 2023 |
| topic | nutrition improvement program rural school-aged children anthropometric indicators micronutrient supplementation nutritional disparities |
| url | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpubh.2025.1585735/full |
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