Analysis of differentiated regional dietary structures of adults aged 18-64 years in 15 provinces (autonomous regions, municipalities) of China in 2018

Abstract

To analyze the status of energy and macronutrient intake among adults aged 18 to 64 years old in 15 provinces(autonomous regions and municipalities) of China. A sample of 9481 adults aged 18-64 years from the data of the China Health and Nutrition Survey in 2018 was analyzed. Three consecutive days of 24 h recalls combined with the weighing of household seasonings were used to collect information on food intake and condiment intake. Food consumption was converted into energy and various nutrient intakes by the China Food Composition Table. The median daily intakes of energy were 1942.28 kcal and 1951.14 kcal in urban and rural areas, 1796.94 kcal, 1972.89 kcal, 1989.61 kcal and 1908.98 kcal in northwest, southwest, southeast and northern regions, respectively. The energy supply ratio of protein and fat were 13.61% and 35.85%, respectively, higher than 12.31% and 34.45% in rural areas, while the energy supply ratio of carbohydrates in urban(49.62%) was lower than that in rural areas(52.18%). The energy supply ratios of fat in the southwest and southeast regions were 38.90% and 36.80%, respectively, while the energy supply ratios of carbohydrates were 47.70% and 47.93%. The main food sources of energy, protein, and fat are different in different regions. The percentage of energy, protein, and fat from animal foods decreased with increasing age groups. The adults with low-income levels had a high intake of carbohydrates but a low intake of protein, and the adults with high-income levels had high proportions of energy, protein and fat from animal food sources. The total energy intakes of residents in different regions are relatively ideal, but the dietary structures are still unreasonable, and the energy supply ratios of fat are relatively high, especially in the southwest and southeast regions. The intake and food sources of the three macronutrients are varied in different regions and urban and rural areas. Age and income level affect the food choices of residents.