Changes in the awareness of nutritional knowledge in Chinese adults during 2004-2015

Abstract

To analyze the changes in the awareness of nutritional knowledge in Chinese adults during 2004-2015. The present study used data from "China Health and Nutrition Health" and selected those participated in surveys conducted in 2004-2015, with completed data of demographic characteristics and nutritional knowledge measurement and aged 18 years and above as subjects. We analyzed the awareness rates of Chinese Dietary Guidelines and various nutritional knowledges in adults from different provinces and adults of 9 provinces by characteristics, and evaluated the changes during 2004-2015. There were 9615, 9702, 9999, 12 990 and 15 958 subjects in waves of 2004, 2006, 2009, 2011 and 2015, respectively. Awareness of dietary guidelines in adults from 9 provinces significantly increased during 2004-2015(P<0. 0001), and the rate was 21. 1% in 2015, 2. 9 times as high as that in 2004. The awareness rates of all seven correct nutritional knowledges also displayed an increased trend during survey periods(P<0. 0001), and there was a considerable rise in 2006. Awareness on staple foods was lower in each wave, especially in 2004(0. 9%). The changes in the awareness of all five wrong nutritional knowledges were inconsistent during 2004-2015, in which the awareness on sugar, high fat foods and physical activity showed a decreased trend(P<0. 0001), and the awareness rate of physical activity was lower. Overall awareness of nutritional knowledges in adults tended to increase during 2004-2015(P<0. 0001), however, that in each wave was very low, and just 4. 0% in 2015. Awareness of dietary guidelines in adults from 3 municipalities in 2015 was higher than that in 2011(P<0. 0001), but the differences were opposite for most of nutritional knowledges. Moreover, awareness of dietary guidelines of 3 municipalities(Beijing, Shanghai and Chongqing)in 2011 and 2015 was higher than corresponding rate in 9 provinces or newly recruited 3 provinces. There were similar changes in the awareness of dietary guidelines and nutritional knowledges in adults from 9 provinces by age, gender, education level, residence area and location during 2004-2015 to that in total population, and there were differences in the awareness of nutritional knowledge by demographic characteristics in some survey waves. The awareness of dietary guidelines and overall awareness of nutritional knowledges were lower in Chinese adults, especially for the items on staple foods, meat and physical activity.