[National Nutrition and Health Systematic Survey for 0-18 years old children in China:study protocol for 6-18 years old children].

OBJECTIVE

To systematically collect basic data on nutrition and health of children aged 6-18 years in China.

METHODS

A cross-sectional survey was conducted in 7 regions, including Eastern China, Northern China, Central China, Southern China, Southwestern China, Northwestern China, and Northeastern China. A total of 65 000 children aged 6-18 years were selected from 28 urban and rural survey sites in 14 provinces through multistage stratified random cluster sampling. Through a questionnaire survey, physical examination, laboratory examination, dietary survey, children's information on dietary intake, physical development, bone development, psychological intelligence, physiological development, and physique were collected to evaluate children's nutrition and health status; nutrition and health knowledge, physical activity and lifestyle of children and their parents were investigated.

RESULTS

The project has basically completed the field investigation and data entry, and it has measured the physical development indicators of 64 999 children aged 6-18 years in China.64 463 completed the student questionnaire; 62 448 completed the body composition measurement, and 3359 completed the assessment of intellectual development.

CONCLUSION

This project brings together the nutrition, epidemiology, child care, mental health experts with the centers for disease control and prevention, and maternal and child health care system in our country. Combining with research institutes and children's hospitals of professional expertise, the project comprehensively collects children's dietary nutrition, growth and development, and health-related data in our country. It would put forward strategies to improve the children's nutrition and health in China and provide the basis for data sharing.