UNICEF welcomes Government of China's commitment to tackle micronutrient deficiencies

9 February 2015 – UNICEF welcomes the Government of China's recent move to introduce Fortified Complementary Food Supplement, or Ying Yang Bao (YYB), to 341 poverty-stricken counties in 21 provincial-level regions to improve the nutritional status of children.

While China has made dramatic gains in reducing child malnutrition in recent decades, childhood micronutrient deficiencies are still common in parts of China, especially in the marginalized communities and rural areas.

Childhood micronutrient deficiencies can adversely affect children's intellectual development, the ability to learn in school and productivity in later life.

According to UNICEF's latest publication, Children in China: An Atlas of Social Indicators, based on the 2010 China Food and Nutrition Surveillance, anaemia prevalence of children under 5 years was 13.3 per cent in rural areas.

For children aged 6–12 months, the prevalence was 28.2 per cent. 

 “UNICEF welcomes the Government of China's ambitious target to reduce the prevalence of anaemia and stunting among children aged 6-24 months in the 341 program counties by 20 per cent and 5 per cent respectively from the results of the baseline survey,” said Dr. Robert Scherpbier, Chief of Health, Nutrition and WES Section at UNICEF China. “We are committed to continue to work with the Government to reach this goal, so to make sure all children enjoy the benefit from getting the right nutrition in their diet to help them grow up healthy and strong.”

Evidence from pilot projects where use of Ying Yang Bao was given to children in poverty-stricken areas as well as during emergencies has proved to be extremely effective in reducing anemia and stunting. Ying Yang Bao, a soybean-based multiple-micronutrient supplement, was first used in the aftermath of the powerful 2008 Wenchuan Earthquake in Sichuan Province.  It led to 60 per cent decrease in the prevalence of anaemia among the 6,000 children who received the supplement.

The National Health and Family Planning Commission (NHFPC) and the All-China Women's Federation (ACWF), working in partnership with international organizations and social organizations, who are encouraged to participate in the promotion, supervision and assessment, plan to expand the use of Ying Yang Bao over the next few months.