2014 report on Chinese resident’s chronic disease and nutrition

Source: en.nhfpc.gov.cn

Updated: 2015-06-15

Dear media friends, ladies and gentlemen:

Good morning, everyone. I'm glad to attend today's press conference. On behalf of the National Health and Family Planning Commission （NHFPC）, I’ll briefly introduce to you Chinese resident’s chronic disease and nutrition. My colleagues and I will answer your questions then.

Chronic disease and nutrition of urban and rural residents is an important indicator of a country's economic and social development, healthcare and population health quality. In 2004, the former Ministry of Health worked with the Ministry of Science and Technology and the National Bureau of Statistics and issued data on Chinese resident’s nutrition and health conditions in 2002 after surveys. As the population aged, urbanization and industrialization accelerated over the decade, resident’s chronic diseases and nutrition have experienced big changes. The report was based on the latest data from the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, the National Cancer Center and the National Center for Cardiovascular Disease, as well as population information from the National Statistics Bureau. The NHFPC has applied system evaluation, mathematical modeling, complex weighing and meta-analysis research methods in compiling the report, which has been certified by multiple authorities in China and abroad. Major conclusions are as follows:

I. China's urban and rural residents have adequate food supply. Physical development and nutritional status have improved in general.

Food nutrition has generally improved over the decade. In 2012, each resident took in 2,172 kilocalories of energy per day on average, 65 grams of protein, 80 grams of fat, and 301 grams of carbohydrates. Energy needs were satisfied.

In 2012, men of 18 years old and above were 167.1 centimeters tall and weighed 66.2 kilograms, and 155.8 centimeters and 57.3 kilograms for women. Both witnessed improvement over 2002. Those between six and 17 years old experienced significantly increased height and weight.

Adult malnutrition was 6.0 percent, down 2.5 percent over 2002. Child and adolescent growth delay rate was 3.2 percent, down 3.1 percentage points, while malnutrition was 9.0 percent, down 4.4 percentage points. Anemia rate was 9.7 percent among residents of six years old and above, down 10.4 percentage points; the rate was 5.0 percent among those between six and 11 years old, down 7.1 percentage points; 17.2 percent among the pregnant, down 11.7 percentage points.

II. Dietary patterns are yet to be improved, and overweight problem stands out.

Intake of cereals, vegetables and fruit was basically at the same level as 2002. Beans and dairy consumption remained at a low level. Fat supplied more than 30 percent of all energy intake. Deficiency of calcium, iron, vitamin A, vitamin D and other nutrients was still prevalent. Residents used 10.5 grams of salt per day, down 1.5 grams over 2002.

In 2012, overweight rates among those 18 years old and above was 30.1 percent, up 7.3 percentage points over 2002; obesity among the same age group was 11.9 percent, up 4.8 percentage points. Overweight rate among those between six and 17 years old was 9.6 percent, up 5.1 percentage points over 2002; obesity among the same age group was 6.4 percent, up 4.3 percentage points.