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Polyunsaturated fatty acids and anthropometric indices of children in rural China

European Journal of Clinical Nutrition volume 60, pages 1100–1107 (2006)Cite this article

Abstract

Objective:

To define fatty acid and macronutrient intakes in a rural Chinese preschool population, and relate these intakes to anthropometric indices.

Design:

Cross-sectional survey of anthropometry and diet (three 24-h recalls). National Centers for Health Statistics/World Health Organization growth reference charts were used to determine the prevalence of malnutrition (z-scores less than −2 standard deviation (s.d.) below the mean): height-for-age (stunted), weight-for-age (underweight), weight-for-height (wasted) and mid-upper-arm-circumference-for-age (low fat/muscle).

Subjects and setting:

A total of 196 children aged 1–5 years old were volunteered by their families to participate in the survey, located in Heqing County, Yunnan Province, China.

Results:

The respective prevalence of stunting, underweight, wasting and low fat/muscle was: 38, 21, 2 and 8%. Daily intakes of linoleic acid (LA; 18:2n-6), α-linolenic acid (LNA; 18:3n-3), arachidonic acid (AA; 20:4n-6) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA; 22:6n-3), averaged for all children, were 2 100±1200, 300±250, 55±35 and 30±140 mg/day, respectively. As percent of total fat intake, LA contributed 11.9%, LNA 1.8%, AA 0.3% and DHA 0.2%. Height-for-age and weight-for-age z-scores were negatively correlated with g/kg/day intake of LA and AA (P<0.05). Weight-for-height z-score was negatively correlated with AA g/kg/day intake (P<0.05).

Conclusions:

This study provided polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) intakes in rural preschool children in a developing country. The associations of PUFA intake with early childhood growth suggest that growth in preschool-aged children could be significantly and specifically related to n-6 fatty acid intakes.

Sponsorship:

ECOFund and NSERC.

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Acknowledgements

The financial assistance of NSERC and the financial, logistic and travel support of the ECOFund (c/o Lawrence Wang) is gratefully acknowledged. The dedication of the following is sincerely recognized: all participants and their families; Dr Yang Wan Quan (Deputy Director HEALTH BUREAU); Dr Li Wu Sheng (Public Health); Ruyi: Cun Ze Xian, Yang Run Zuo, Yang Run Xiu; Shuanglong: Zhang Jin Xiang, Li Jing Shu, Xu Run Zhi; translators: Li Liu Si (Vice Chairman of Chinese People's Political Consultative Committee), Dylan Chang and Hong Yu (Chinese students); and Ye Shi Min (Heqing Health Centre for Children and Women Director).

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Alberta Institute for Human Nutrition, 823 General Services Building, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

    B N Barbarich, N D Willows & M T Clandinin

  2. Department of Agriculture, Food and Nutritional Sciences, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

    N D Willows & M T Clandinin

  3. Faculty of Biological Sciences, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

    L Wang

  4. Department of Medicine, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

    M T Clandinin

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  1. B N Barbarich
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  2. N D Willows
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  3. L Wang
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  4. M T Clandinin
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Correspondence to B N Barbarich.

Additional information

Guarantor: MT Clandinin.

Contributors: BNB was responsible for data collection, analysis and writing the paper; NDW and MTC gave advice on data collection and writing the paper; LW aided in study logistics and data collection.

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Barbarich, B., Willows, N., Wang, L. et al. Polyunsaturated fatty acids and anthropometric indices of children in rural China. Eur J Clin Nutr 60, 1100–1107 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.ejcn.1602424

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.ejcn.1602424

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