Background Chinese residents has undergone profound changes in lifestyle, followed by the intake of nutrients, and the lack of micronutrient intakes has become one of the main nutritional problems.
Objective The aim of this study is to analyze the long-term trends of micronutrient intakes in adults aged 18-59 years in nine provinces (autonomous regions) of China, and to provide evidence for improving adult diet and guiding nutritional interventions.
Methods The data of China Health and Nutrition Surveys from 1991 to 2015 were used. In this study, the adults aged 18-59 years were selected as study subjects. After excluding those with missing demographic and dietary data or with abnormal energy intake, a total of 63 723 subjects were included in the study. Dietary intakes were collected by 3-day 24-hour dietary recall, and edible oil and condiment intakes were collected by weighing method. Food consumption was converted into energy and various micronutrient intakes by an established food composition table.
Results From 1991 to 2015, the age-adjusted average intakes of thiamine, niacin, potassium, sodium, calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, iron, manganese, zinc, and copper in adults aged 18-59 years in nine provinces (autonomous regions) of China showed downward trends; whereas the age-adjusted average intakes of retinol, vitamin E, and selenium showed upward trends, and riboflavin intake was basically flat. In 2015, the average daily intakes of retinol, thiamine, riboflavin, niacin, vitamin C, vitamin E, potassium, sodium, calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, iron, manganese, zinc, copper, and selenium were 682.99 μg (in retinol activity equivalent), 0.85 mg, 0.75 mg, 14.49 mg, 81.13 mg, 29.87 mg, 1 555.19 mg, 4 520.84 mg, 345.03 mg, 909.84 mg, 267.67 mg, 21.64 mg, 5.54 mg, 10.29 mg, 1.66 mg, and 43.56 μg, respectively. The calcium intake of males was higher than that of females. The intakes of retinol, thiamine, and niacin in the young-age group (18-44 years) were higher than those of the old-age group (45-59 years), and the intakes of vitamin E, sodium, and calcium in the young-age group were lower than those of the old-age group. The intakes of niacin, potassium, phosphorus, iron, zinc, and copper were higher in the middle-and high-income groups than in the low-income group; the intake of thiamine was higher in the high-income group than in the low-income group; the intake of vitamin C was higher in the middle-income group than in the low-income group; the average intakes of riboflavin, vitamin E, calcium, and selenium increased with higher income level. The urban adults had higher intakes of thiamine, riboflavin, niacin, potassium, calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, iron, zinc, copper, and selenium than the rural adults. The proportions of adults with intakes of retinol, thiamine, and vitamin C less than estimated average requirements all exceeded 50% of total surveyed adults. The proportions of adults with riboflavin and calcium intakes less than corresponding estimated average requirements exceeded 85% and 95% respectively.
Conclusion The adults in nine provinces (autonomous regions) of China show highly prevalent micronutrient insufficiency, especially calcium deficiency. Therefore, it is suggested to increase food diversity and intakes of micronutrient-rich foods to increase micronutrient intakes.
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