Investigation and correlation analysis on the growth, development and nutritional status of adolescents aged 6 to 18 in Xuzhou in 2020

Objective To understand the growth, development and nutritional status of adolescents aged 6~18 in Xuzhou in 2020, and provide individualized and regional scientific basis for better promoting the growth potential and development of adolescents in this area and formulating corresponding intervention measures. Methods In this study, 1 239 123 primary and secondary school students aged 6~18 in Xuzhou in 2020 were selected. Their height and weight were measured. The nutritional status was evaluated by WS/t456-2014 screening for malnutrition among school-age children and adolescents and by WS/t586—2018 screening for overweight and obesity among school-age children and adolescents. Stratified sampling was used to investigate menarche and primary spermatorrhea. Results The height and weight of children and adolescents aged 6~18 in Xuzhou increased with age. The average height and weight of boys and girls were higher than the national average level (P<0.01). The detection rates of growth retardation, mild weight loss and moderate weight loss were 1.01%, 2.44% and 2.49% respectively. The detection rates of overweight, obesity and malnutrition were 16.43%, 17.39% and 5.79% respectively. The first menstrual period in girls began at the age of 10, with an incidence of 1.96%. More than 90% of girls had their first menstrual period before the age of 14. The time of first spermatorrhea occurred in boys at the age of 10, with an incidence of 2.07%. More than 90% of boys had their first spermatorrhea before the age of 16. Conclusions The height and weight of children and adolescents in Xuzhou increase with age in 2020, which are higher than the national average level. The problems of malnutrition, overweight and obesity still exist. Although the obesity rate decreases gradually with age, the overweight rate maintains at a high level in all age groups. The onset age of puberty showed an early trend.