Background With the changes in dietary pattern of Chinese residents, insufficient micronutrient intakes and related health problems have gradually become prominent. The 590 million rural population in China have changed their consumption concept of food as their income rises.
Objective This study aims to analyze the long-term trends of micronutrient intakes of farmers aged 18 years and over in 15 provinces (autonomous regions) of China, and provide guidance for farmers' nutritional intervention and the prevention and treatment of chronic diseases.
Methods A total of 29 119 farmers aged 18 years or above with complete dietary and demographic data were selected for the study from the China Health and Nutrition Surveys in 1991-2015. Dietary intakes were collected by 3-day 24-hour dietary recall, and edible oil and condiment intakes were collected by weighing method. Food consumption was converted into energy and various micronutrient intakes by an established food composition table.
Results In 2015, the farmer's average daily intakes of retinol, thiamine, riboflavin, niacin, vitamin C, vitamin E, potassium, sodium, calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, iron, manganese, zinc, copper, and selenium were 564.42 μg (in retinol activity equivalent, thereafter), 0.89 mg, 0.72 mg, 15.06 mg, 72.87 mg, 31.04 mg, 1 546.99 mg, 4 932.13 mg, 332.09 mg, 927.31 mg, 276.86 mg, 22.14 mg, 6.02 mg, 10.74 mg, 1.75 mg, and 41.72 μg, respectively. Compared with 1991, the average daily intakes of retinol, thiamine, niacin, vitamin C, potassium, sodium, calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, iron, manganese, zinc, and copper decreased by 25.44 μg, 0.31 mg, 1.75 mg, 29.20 mg, 214.62 mg, 2 395.02 mg, 24.22 mg, 243.15 mg, 46.87 mg, 0.73 mg, 2.98 mg, 1.07 mg, and 0.74 mg, respectively, whereas the average daily intakes of riboflavin, vitamin E, and selenium increased by 0.04 mg, 9.85 mg, and 12.14 μg, respectively. In 2015, the intakes of thiamine, riboflavin, niacin, vitamin C, potassium, calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, iron, manganese, zinc, copper, and selenium in farmers aged 65 years and over were lower than those of the other age groups (Ps < 0.05). Middle-income farmers had lower intakes of thiamine, riboflavin, and vitamin C than other income groups (Ps < 0.05), high-income farmers had a higher intake of sodium than other income groups (P < 0.05), and low-income farmers had a higher intake of manganese than other income groups (P < 0.05). The proportions of farmers with intakes of retinol, riboflavin, and calcium less than corresponding estimated average requirements were over 60%, 85%, and 95% of total surveyed farmers, respectively, and the proportions of farmers with thiamine and vitamin C intakes less than corresponding estimated average requirements were over 50% in general.
Conclusion From 1991 to 2015, insufficient intakes of retinol, thiamine, riboflavin, vitamin C, and calcium are pervasive among farmers in 15 provinces (autonomous regions) of China, especially calcium deficiency which deserves high priority.
DownLoad: