South East Asian Nutrition Surveys II (SEANUTS II) Thailand: triple burden of malnutrition among Thai children aged 6 months to 12 years.

OBJECTIVE

This study assessed nutritional status among Thai children using anthropometry, dietary intakes and micronutrient status.

DESIGN

Cross-sectional survey with multi-stage cluster sampling. Body weight and height were measured in all children. Dietary intakes were assessed using 24-h dietary recall. Biochemical assessment was performed in one-third of the children.

SETTING

The study was conducted in Thailand's four geographical regions and Bangkok.

PARTICIPANTS

3478 Thai children aged 0·5-12·9 years.

RESULTS

Stunting showed a downward trend by age group and was most prevalent among infants and toddlers. Overweight and obesity showed a significant upward trend by age group, location and sex and were highest among children aged 7-12·9 years. Risks of inadequate micronutrient intakes (Ca, Fe, Zn, vitamins A, C and D) were high (53·2-93·6 %). Prevalence of Zn and mild vitamin A deficiencies were low; vitamin D and B12 deficiencies were nil. Vitamin D insufficiency was significantly higher in the urban area and among girls. Anaemia was very high in infants and toddlers (56·6 and 35·2 %) but showed a significant downward trend by age group. There was an overall high prevalence of Fe deficiency (25 %) v. Fe deficiency anaemia (4·2 %) among children aged 4-12·9 years old.

CONCLUSIONS

The high prevalence of stunting and anaemia among children aged 0·5-3·9 years and overweight and obesity among children aged 7-12·9 years requires continued attention. While prevalence of biochemical micronutrient deficiencies was not high (except for Fe), high prevalence of dietary inadequacies for several micronutrients warrants further in-depth investigations.