Background: This study aimed to assess secular trends and epidemiological status of ascariasis infestations and to explore its effects on the nutritional transition among Chinese children from 2000 to 2014.
Methods: Data were collected from 69 435 Chinese children aged 7-year-olds and 9-year-olds in 4 successive cross-sectional surveys of Chinese National Survey on Students' Constitution and Health. Ascariasis infestation was defined by using the Kato-Katz method. Nutritional status was classified into stunting, thinness, overweight, and obesity by WHO definition.
Results: From 2000 to 2014, the ascariasis infestation rates decreased from 9.1% to 1.7%, the stunting and thinness prevalence decreased from 4.3% and 13.8% to 0.7% and 7.1%, while the overweight and obesity prevalence increased from 3.6% and 2.1% to 9.8% and 9.1%, respectively. Compared to children in the ascariasis noninfestation group, those infected with ascariasis had a worse nutritional status. Yet, the disparity in nutritional status between 2 groups disappeared over time. Provinces with a higher gross domestic product per capita simultaneously had lower ascariasis infestation rates, lower stunting and thinness prevalence, and higher overweight and obesity prevalence.
Conclusions: The retardation effects caused by ascariasis infestation on nutritional status in Chinese children seemed to be offset by the rapid economic development and nutritional transition over time; nevertheless, multiple prevention and control measures are still needed and should be continuously strengthened.
Keywords: ascariasis; children; nutritional status; obesity; overweight; stunting; thinness.