How are Chinese residents eating? The scientific research report on dietary guidelines for Chinese residents (2021) released by the Chinese Nutrition Society recently provides the answer: the nutritional status and physical fitness of Chinese residents have significantly improved. The proportion of protein derived from animal derived foods among urban and rural residents in China has increased from 18.9% in 1992 to 35.2% in 2015. Especially for rural residents, the dietary structure has been greatly improved, the energy supply ratio of carbohydrates has decreased, and the urban-rural gap is gradually narrowing.
The report shows that the consumption structure of Chinese residents has changed, and the dietary quality has generally improved. Cereal food is still the main source of energy, with a richer variety of vegetables available and significantly reduced seasonal differences. Residents' vegetable intake remains stable at around 270 grams per person per day, consistently at a good level compared to other countries. Residents' intake of animal based food has increased, and their intake of high-quality protein has increased. The dietary structure of rural residents has greatly improved, with the energy supply ratio of carbohydrates decreasing from 70.1% in 1992 to 55.3% in 2015. The protein provided by animal based foods has increased from 12.4% in 1992 to 31.4% in 2015, and the urban-rural gap has gradually narrowed.
Residents of different age groups have significantly increased in height. The report shows that in the past 30 years, the growth and development level of Chinese children and adolescents has continuously improved, with height increasing in all age groups of boys and girls aged 6-17, with an average height increase of 3 centimeters every 10 years. The height growth rate of rural children is 4 centimeters for boys and 3 centimeters for girls, which is greater than the height growth rate of urban children of 3 centimeters for boys and 2 centimeters for girls. The average height of adults continues to increase, with the average height of males and females aged 18-44 in 2015 being 169.7 centimeters and 158.0 centimeters, respectively, an increase of 2.2 centimeters and 1.6 centimeters compared to 2002.
The nutritional deficiencies of residents have been fundamentally improved. From the monitoring data, the growth retardation rate and low body weight rate of children under 5 years old are 4.8% and 1.9%, respectively, which have achieved the preset goals of the 2020 plan. Whether it is children or adults, the incidence of malnutrition has significantly decreased, especially the lack of energy supply has been fundamentally improved. The anemia rate and vitamin A deficiency rate of children, adolescents, and pregnant women have significantly decreased, and their nutritional status has been significantly improved.
