Food intake and influencing factors among primary and secondary school students in rural areas covered by the nutrition improvement program

ObjectiveTo analyze the food intake of primary and middle school students in areas implementing the Rural Compulsory Education Student Nutrition Improvement Program in 2021 and its influencing factors. MethodsFollowing the principle of random sampling, in 2021, in 727 national pilot counties in 31 provinces (autonomous regions, municipalities) and the Xinjiang Production & Construction Corps, approximately 10% of primary and middle schools were selected in urban and rural areas, respectively. From the third grade of primary school to the third grade of junior high school, one class was selected from each grade, with approximately 40 students per class, equally divided between male and female. Questionnaires were used to collect data on the frequency of food intake among primary and middle school students. Results37.019% of primary and middle school students consumed meat once or more per day; 24.578% consumed one or more eggs per day; only 4.333% consumed 300 mL/d or more of milk; 30.212% consumed fruit once or more per day; 33.352% consumed three or more kinds of vegetables per day; and 10.170% consumed beans once or more per day. Geographic distribution, gender, school level, and left-behind child status were influencing factors for meat, egg, milk, fruit, vegetable, and bean intake among primary and middle school students; boarding status was an influencing factor for meat, milk, fruit, vegetable, and bean intake. ConclusionsThe proportion of primary and middle school students in areas implementing the Chinese Student Nutrition Improvement Program who met the recommended dietary guidelines for various food groups showed an upward trend, but insufficient intake may still exist. In the future, targeted dietary guidance and nutrition education should be carried out during the further implementation of the Student Nutrition Improvement Program to improve the effectiveness of the program and promote the healthy growth of primary and middle school students in China.