Dietary fat consumption and non- communicable chronic diseases in China

Fat consumption at a national level is largely determined by the economic development of a country. Based on the data of nationwide nutrition surveys undertaken in China in 1982 and 1992, the average intake per capita per day of meat increased from 62.6 to 100.5 g in urban areas and from 22.9 to 37.6 g in rural areas. The consumption per capita per day of eggs increased from 15.5 to 29.4 g in urban areas and from 3.8 to 8.8 g in rural areas. The daily consumption of cooking oil was 12 g in 1982 and reached 22.4 g in 1992, while the consumption of animal fat remained stable. The average fat intake accounted for 18.1% of total energy intake in 1982 and 22.0% in 1992. The daily fat intake of Beijing urban residents was 92.9 g per capita per day in 1992, accounting for 32.7% of total energy intake, which was beyond the top limit suggested by the World Health Organisation. The change of disease patterns in Chinese people has been great during the past two decades. The mortality rate due to cerebro-cardiovascular disease accounted for 12.07% of deaths in 1957, and increased to 40.72% in 1994. The non-communicable chronic diseases (NCCD) accounted for approximately 70% of total deaths. Twenty-five percent of the total population and 60% of day care patients suffered from chronic diseases. The risk factors of NCCD are increasing in China and more attention should be given to the prevention and intervention of NCCD in the future.