Study on transition of dietary pattern in Jiangsu province, China

Abstract

Objective: To study the trend of nutrition transition among people in Jiangsu Province from 1989 to 2004. Methods: Multistage cluster sample including two cities and four counties in Jiangsu province was randomly selected. Dietary information among adults aged 18 and above was assessed by 3‐day weighting method. All statistical analyses were done by SAS. Results: Consumption of grain decreased but consumption of animal foods increased significantly. Rapid increases in milk consumption and in proportion of energy from fat were also observed. As a result, prevalence of overweight and obesity (BMI≥24) in male increased sharply from 9.4% in 1989 to 34.1% in 2004, prevalence of hypertension from 7.8% to 26.5 in male and from 4.8% to 20.1% in female, respectively, during the same period. Conclusion: In the process of nutrition transition, people in Jiangsu are experiencing the inadequate intake of some nutrients and high intake of fat. Overweight and obesity and hypertension are challenges as a result on this transition. There is need to implement nutrition intervention.