ObjectiveTo systematically review the implementation status, effectiveness and existing problems of nutrition improvement measures for vulnerable populations in rural areas of China. MethodsAll studies about the implementation status, effectiveness and existing problems of nutrition improvement measures for vulnerable populations in rural areas of China were electronically searched in VIP, CNKI, WanFang Data and CBM from inception to January 1st, 2014. Two reviewers independently screened literature according to inclusion and exclusion criteria, extracted data, and assessed methodological quality of included studies, and then performed qualitative analysis in terms of implementation effectiveness and situation. ResultsA total of 79 studies were finally included. The results of qualitative analysis showed that:the earliest study was published in 1990; 38.0% of these studies were carried out in the southwest and northwest areas of China; 31.6% of these studies were financially supported, and most funds were provided by some international institutions; 90.0% of these research subjects focused on infants and children (under the age of 10); a variety of nutrition improvement measures had been taken, and 55.7% of these interventions measures were nutrition education which could be implemented easily; the implementation duration of 38.0% of these measures lasted less than half a year; 32.9% of these studies adopted the blood test to evaluate the outcomes of nutrition measures; all of the studies showed that nutrition levels of vulnerable populations in rural areas of China had been obviously improved by these measures. ConclusionThe nutrition improvement measures for vulnerable populations in rural areas of China have been implemented relatively earlier focusing on populations in West China where was less developed. However, an imbalance exists in the attention to target populations, especially to the elderly. Face to face nutrition education is most frequently taken; however, it could not directly reflect the changing of nutritional status. In addition, implementation duration is fairly short which indicates that more fund supports are needed from the government or institutions.