Food-Based Dietary Guidelines in China – Practices and Problems

Abstract

In recent decades, China has been in a rapid social and health transition. As seen in many developing countries, it is currently facing a double burden of both under- and overnutrition. The national average daily intake of energy, per reference person, was reduced from 2,328 kcal in 1992 to 2,252 kcal in 2002, but that of fat increased from 58.3 to 76.2 g. The national prevalence of growth retardation of children <5 years was 31.9% in 1992 and 14.3% in 2002. However, in these 10 years the prevalence of overweight increased by 39% and hypertension by 31% among adults. Chronic diseases induced 80.9% of the total number of deaths in 2000. Food-based dietary guidelines (FBDGs) were first developed in China in 1989, and a ‘Food Guide Pagoda’ was formulated in association with a thorough revision of FBDGs in 1997. They have been used as a powerful tool for mass education in dealing with under- and overnutrition. In order to inform consumers about having a rational diet, popularization of the FBDGs has been widely practiced. With the joint efforts of various sectors, about 20 million people have been involved directly. Despite the great efforts made, only a small proportion of the vast population has received the message. Governmental action is needed to spread and sustain mass education on food and nutrition in China. The Chinese FBDGs per se need to be revised and specific guidelines for different populations such as infants and elderly people should be developed.

Dissipation and Residue Level of Thifluzamide in Rice Field Ecosystem

“…Assuming that the average body weight of Chinese adult is 60 kg, the acceptable daily intake amount of thifluzamide for each Chinese person was calculated as 0.84 mg (i.e., 0.014 mg/kg bw × 60 kg bw). According to the dietary guideline published by Health Ministry of the People's Republic of China [16], the dietary intake of rice grain in China was in the range of 0.25∼ 0.4 kg every day. Based on the final residue data that the maximum residue of thifluzamide in rice grain in 21 days after spraying was 0.23 mg/kg, the dietary intake of thifluzamide for Chinese person was calculated to be 0.058∼0.092 mg (i.e., (0.25∼0.4 kg) × 0.23 mg/kg).…”

Milk for “Growth”: Global and Local Meanings of Milk Consumption in China, India, and the United States

“…The Dietary Guidelines for Americans and the pictorial version, the food pyramid, highlight the essential role for milk in the diet, recommending three cups of milk or equivalent dairy products per day (United States Department of Health and Human Services and United States Department of Agriculture 2005). Milk is now listed in China's food guide pagoda with the instructions "Eat milk and legumes and their products every day" (Ge, Jia, and Liu 2007) and is recommended in the Dietary Guidelines for Indians (National Institute of Nutrition 2006).…”

Connected Community and Household Food-Based Strategy (CCH-FBS): Its Importance for Health, Food Safety, Sustainability and Security in Diverse Localities

“…With prescience, and the knowledge of food trends in places like Shanghai (Zhao, Guo, and Chen 1995), Chinese nutritionists like Zhao Fa-Ji anticipated the importance of changes in the food system away from plant foods to animal-derived foods like pork for the environment, as well as changes in food affordability and health. The guidelines were revised in 1997 as described by Dr. Ge Keyou (Ge et al 2007) to reflect these changes.…”

“…As observed by Ge Keyou, FBDGs reflecting these changing trends have not penetrated the country as a whole or beyond a more informed constituency. National Action Plans are slow to reach most communities and households (Ge and McNutt 2000;Ge et al 2007). The reasons for this are complex.…”

“…The process of their regionalization (Western Pacific, 1999;Eastern Mediterranean, 2005) (Keller and Lang 2008;) and nationalization (China, 2007;Thailand, 2001;Iran, 2007;India, 2008) (Ge, Jia, and Liu 2007;Krishnaswamy 2008;Safavi et al 2007;Schneeman 2001) was underway. Various syntheses and reviews of progress have taken place.…”