[Dietary fiber intake among the general population in 25 prefectures]

The per capita daily intake of dietary fiber in 25 prefectures was calculated from measured values of dietary fiber in each food according to the modified Southgate method and the modified Prosky method. Results obtained were as follows; In the calculated values according to the modified Southgate method, mean per capita daily dietary fiber intake was highest in Gunma 20.5 g and lowest in Okinawa (13.5 g). On the other hand with Prosky method, dietary fiber intake was highest in Gunma (19.3 g) and lowest in Hyogo (12.4 g). Therefore, dietary fiber intake was higher in eastern Japan than in western Japan. In calculated values according to the modified Southgate method, the largest consumption was noted with rice at 30%. On the other hand, in Prosky method, vegetables were noted as the largest and rice ranked second. The mean per capita daily intake of hemicellulose was noted at 50% of the whole, cellulose at 30-35% and lignin at 15-20%.