[Transition of dietary pattern in China]

The implications of dietary transition in China during the past 50 years were investigated. Data were collected from the representative national surveys, China Health and Nutrition Survey (1989-1997), China National Nutrition Survey (1982 and 1992), the Annual Household Consumption Surveys of the State Statistic Bureau and the Annual Death Report of China. In the early part of the major economic transformation, cereal intake increased before 1985 and decreased thereafter. There was also a long-term reduction of vegetable consumption, which has stabilized now. Intakes of animal foods increased slowly before 1979 and more quickly after the economic reforms occurred. The total energy intake has reduced, as energy expenditure has, large changes in the composition of energy have occurred. The proportion of energy from fat increased quickly and reached 27.3% in average and 32.8% in urban residents in 1997. More than one third of all Chinese adults and 58.4% of adults in urban areas consuming over 30% of their energy from fat. These changes resulted in rapid increases the prevalence of overweight and obesity and dietary-related chronic non-communicable diseases in urban residents. The traditional Chinese diet is shifting towards a diet with high fat, high energy density and low dietary fiber. The Chinese diets have entered into a new stage of transition.