Trend in dietary calcium intake among Chinese elderly aged 50 years and over in nine provinces, from 1991 to 2009

Abstract

To understand the daily calcium intake and the dietary sources, as well as its trends from 1991 to 2009 in Chinese elderly aged 50 years and over. Consecutive 3 d-24 hr Dietary Recall Data from the seven waves of the China Health and Nutrition Survey (CHNS) was used to describe the status and trends of daily calcium intake and its food sources. Between 1991 and 2009, the daily intake of calcium in the Chinese elderly showed an increasing trend. In 2009, the average intakes of calcium in Chinese elderly men and women were 400.2 mg/day and 352.7 mg/day, respectively. 72.0% - 82.2% of males and 78.8% - 88.0% of females had their calcium intake less than half of the recommended amount of adequate intakes, but only 0.4% - 3.9% of males and 0.4% - 3.0% of females had their calcium intake equal or higher than the recommended amount of intakes. The sources of dietary calcium were mainly from vegetables, legumes, and cereals for the Chinese elderly, accounting for more than 70% of the average daily intakes. During the past twenty years, the average daily calcium intake of the Chinese elderly still remained at low level while the optimal calcium sources as milk and legumes, were under-consumed.