[Intergenerational differences on the nutritional status and lifestyle of Chinese residents]

To study the diversities on nutritional status and lifestyle of adult Chinese residents born in different years.

The data of healthy adult residents born in the 1960s and 1980s were selected from the CHNS 1993 and 2009. Information on physical examination, nutrient intake and lifestyle factors were used as indicators to evaluate the nutritional status of residents; data was analyzed by SAS and STATA software.

(1) Weight, height, BMI, waist circumference, hip circumference, waist-hip ratio, skin fold thickness, overweight/obesity, hypertension rate of residents born in the 1980s were all significantly higher than residents born in the 1960s. (2) Dietary fats intake, percentage of energy contributed from total fat, cholesterol intake, calcium intake and the rate of energy and cholesterol intake exceeding the Chinese dietary reference intakes (Chinese DRIs) of residents born in the 1980s were all significantly higher than residents born in the 1960s, however, the energy intake,carbohydrate intake, salt intake, vitamin B1 intake, vitamin C intake, the energy contributed from carbohydrates and the rate of vitamin B1 intake and vitamin C intake exceeding the Chinese DRIs of residents born in the 1980s were all significantly lower in residents born in the 1960s. (3) The smoking rates, rates of drinking tea and the percentage of population engaged in medium or vigorous physical activity of residents born in the 1980s were all significantly lower than residents born in the 1960s.

The diversity of nutritional status and lifestyle in different generations could not be ignored, and the phenomenon of increased prevalence of nutrition-related non-communicable diseases (NR-NCDs) of residents born in 1980s should be concerned.