Comparison of nutritional status between in Han and Yao ethnic left-behind children aged 7-14 years in rural Yongzhou

Objective In order to investigate nutritional status of Han and Yao ethnic left-behind children aged 7-14 years in rural Yongzhou area.Methods A total of 3 768 children aged 7-14 years were selected by stratified random sampling.Nutritional status was determined by comprehensive development evaluation for children and adolescent.Results Non-left-behind children showed higher height,weight and BMI compared with left-behind children.The difference of height,weight and BMI between non-left-behind with Yao ethnic left-behind children was 2.9 cm,5.5 kg and 2.0 kg/m2,respectively(P<0.01).Prevalence of stunting among Yao left-behind (45.1%) was significantly higher than Han left-behind children(24.4%)(x2=354.466,P<0.01).Overweight (4.4%) and obesity (3.1%) in Han left-behind children was more common compared with same-sex Yao left-behind peers (1.7%,1.4%,respectively).Conclusion Nutritional problems among non-left-behind children is much better than left-behind children with Han and Yao ethnic.Stunting is one of the major concerns which need more attention.