Abstract
WHAT IS ALREADY KNOWN ABOUT THIS TOPIC? Physical fitness is closely associated with children's development. Limited research has been published on the changes in physical fitness among Chinese children during the implementation of the Nutrition Improvement Program for Rural Compulsory Education Students (NIPRCES). WHAT IS ADDED BY THIS REPORT? This research utilized data from the NIPRCES between 2013 and 2021 to examine alterations in children's physical fitness levels. Over this period, there was a significant increase in the number of rope skipping counts among children. In 2021, variations in these counts were observed, which depended on factors such as age, gender, geographic location, and region. WHAT ARE THE IMPLICATIONS FOR PUBLIC HEALTH PRACTICE? Physical fitness has been linked to a multitude of non-communicable diseases. Enhanced nutritional measures for children lead to significant improvements in their overall physical fitness, as evidenced by NIPRCES findings. It is crucial for policymakers to implement comprehensive interventions aimed at promoting and advancing children's physical fitness.