Trends of stunting and thinness Among Children and Adolescents Aged 6 to 15 Years — the Central and Western Regions, China, 2012–2023
1
National Institute for Nutrition and Health, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing, China
Popul. Med. 2026;8(Supplement Supplement 1):A2316
ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION:
To characterize stunting and thinness trends among children and adolescents (6-15 years) in central and western China from 2012-2023 by gender, and age, providing an evidence base for malnutrition prevention.
METHODS:
Multi-stage stratified random cluster sampling was used to survey 6-15-year-old children and adolescents in central and western China(2012–2023). Height and weight were measured before breakfast in the morning. Stunting and thinness were classified using Chinese national criteria (WS/T456–2014). Joinpoint regression identified significant changes in prevalence trends, with annual average percentage change (AAPC) and annual percentage change (APC) calculated to quantify the direction and magnitude of trends.
RESULTS:
Stunting prevalence decreased with AAPC = -11.6% from 2012 to 2023. Females experienced significantly greater declines (AAPC = -12.2%) than males (AAPC = -11.0%). Age-specific reductions were significant across ages 9-15, peaking at age 13 (AAPC = -17.3%). Thinness prevalence demonstrated no significant trends overall or across gender and most age subgroups.
CONCLUSIONS:
Significant stunting reductions were observed, with the steepest declines among 13-year-old, indicating effective targeting of adolescent groups. Future research investigating the limited change in thinness prevalence is needed.
To characterize stunting and thinness trends among children and adolescents (6-15 years) in central and western China from 2012-2023 by gender, and age, providing an evidence base for malnutrition prevention.
METHODS:
Multi-stage stratified random cluster sampling was used to survey 6-15-year-old children and adolescents in central and western China(2012–2023). Height and weight were measured before breakfast in the morning. Stunting and thinness were classified using Chinese national criteria (WS/T456–2014). Joinpoint regression identified significant changes in prevalence trends, with annual average percentage change (AAPC) and annual percentage change (APC) calculated to quantify the direction and magnitude of trends.
RESULTS:
Stunting prevalence decreased with AAPC = -11.6% from 2012 to 2023. Females experienced significantly greater declines (AAPC = -12.2%) than males (AAPC = -11.0%). Age-specific reductions were significant across ages 9-15, peaking at age 13 (AAPC = -17.3%). Thinness prevalence demonstrated no significant trends overall or across gender and most age subgroups.
CONCLUSIONS:
Significant stunting reductions were observed, with the steepest declines among 13-year-old, indicating effective targeting of adolescent groups. Future research investigating the limited change in thinness prevalence is needed.
| eISSN: | 2654-1459 |
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