Objective: To explore the status and trend of cereal consumption among Chinese adults aged 18 to 59 years in nine provinces (municipality) from 1989 to 2006.
Methods: The survey data were collected by consecutive 3 d 24 h dietary recall method in 1989, 1991, 1993, 1997, 2000, 2004 and 2006 China Health and Nutrition Survey Project. The subjects aged 18-59 years with complete information on dietary survey were included. The sample number of the subjects were 5978, 7566, 7492, 7738, 8439, 7484 and 7157 in the 7 round surveys from 1989 to 2006, respectively. The trends of their cereal consuming rate and daily intake were analyzed by year, gender, age and regions.
Results: The cereal intake of 18 - 59 years old Chinese adults in 9 provinces (municipality) decreased from 522.3 g/d in 1989 to 431.9 g/d in 2006 (χ(2) = 2421.76, P < 0.01). The cereal intake of males decreased from 545.6 g/d in 1989 to 471.6 g/d in 2006 (χ(2) = 861.21, P < 0.01) and females decreased from 500.3 g/d in 1989 to 395.5 g/d in 2006 (χ(2) = 1844.13, P < 0.01). Compared with 1989, the average cereal consumption were reduced to 104.8, 134.4, 103.3 and 98.2 g in the suburban, female, 18 to 29 years old age group and level of education for college and above separately in 2006. The rice consuming rate among 18 - 59 year-old residents increased from 79.9% (4776/5978) in 1989 to 87.3% (6248/7157) (Z = 18.45, P < 0.01) in 2006, the wheat consuming rate increased from 63.3% (3784/5978) in 1989 to 80.2% (5740/7157) (Z = 27.28, P < 0.01) in 2006.
Conclusion: The present study indicated that there was a decreasing trend of cereal intake among Chinese adults aged 18 - 59 years in 9 provinces (municipality). In the stratified groups, cereal intake in groups of female, suburb, aged 18 - 59 years and higher educational level decreased significantly.