Macroelements Intake in Chinese Adults - 10 PLADs, China, 2022-2023

The Chinese Nutrition and Health Surveillance in 2015-2017 reported that among adults aged 18-59 years, the average daily intake was 328.3 mg of calcium, 251.8 mg of magnesium, 5,681.4 mg of sodium, and 1,474.1 mg of potassium. For adults aged 60 years and above, the corresponding intakes were 333.2 mg, 242.5 mg, 5,412.1 mg, and 1,392.6 mg per day, respectively.

Based on the China Development and Nutrition Health Impact Cohort Survey (2022-2023) across 10 provincial-level administrative divisions (PLADs), the median daily intakes among Chinese adults were calcium (288.3 mg), magnesium (228.9 mg), sodium (4,182.4 mg), and potassium (1,397.6 mg), with a median Na/K ratio of 3.0. The study revealed that 96.1% of adults had calcium intake below the estimated average requirement (EAR), 64.4% had magnesium intake below the EAR, 81.9% had potassium intake below the adequate intake (AI), and 89.4% had sodium intake above the PI-NCD. Urban residents demonstrated generally better macroelement intake patterns compared to rural residents.

There is an urgent need for effective policies and interventions to enhance diet quality through increased consumption of dairy products, fruits, and vegetables, thereby improving calcium, magnesium, and potassium intake while reducing sodium intake and the sodium-to-potassium ratio among Chinese adults. Priority should be given to improving the nutritional status of rural residents and reducing urban-rural disparities.