Data from: Effectiveness of complementary food supplement and dietary counseling on anemia and stunting in children aged 6-23 months in poor areas in Qinghai Province, China: a controlled interventional study

Objective: To assess the effectiveness of dietary counseling and
complementary food supplements on anemia and stunting prevalence in
children aged 6-23 months. Design: A controlled intervention study with
measurements of height and hemoglobin levels, and cross-sectional surveys
in August 2012 (baseline) and 2013 and 2014 (end-line). Setting: One
intervention and control county in rural Qinghai Province, China.
Intervention: Complementary food supplements (containing protein, fat,
carbohydrate, vitamin A, B1, B2, B12, D3, folic acid, iron, zinc, and
calcium) and complementary feeding counseling were given in the
intervention county. Participants: Caregivers and their children aged 6-23
months. Primary and secondary outcomes measures: The effect of the
interventions on anemia (hemoglobin< 110g/L) and stunting (z-score
of height-for-age< -2.0) prevalence(controlled for differences
between the counties), and infant feeding practices. Results: The surveys
were conducted among 1804, 2187, and 2186 child aged 6-23 months in the
intervention county in August 2012, 2013 and 2014 respectively, and 804,
680 and 790 children in the control county respectively. Between baseline
and end-line, anemia prevalence decreased more in the intervention county
compared to the control county (71.1% to 47.8% vs 86.3% to 75.3%,
respectively; P<0.0001). There was no difference in the decrease in
stunting prevalence between the counties (9.7% to 7.1% vs 17.0% to 15.0%;
P=0.7954). The proportions of children given iron-rich or -fortified food,
introduced (semi-) solid food at 6-8 months, and given food with minimum
dietary diversity increased from 43.2% to 88.8% (P<0.0001), 81.4%
to 96% (P=0.0470), and 53.0% to 59.8% (P<0.0001), respectively.
Conclusions: We found much higher anemia prevalence in poor rural areas of
Qinghai Province compared to national data. Community-based complementary
food supplements combined with dietary counseling can improve feeding
practices and reduce anemia prevalence. Future studies should use longer
follow-up to assess the effects on stunting.