Objective: To describe and analyze the main food sources of dietary calcium intake in perimenopausal women in Changsha,China.
Methods: Twenty-four hour recall method was used for 3 consecutive days to collect food intake information. Total calcium intake and proportion of each food were calculated.
Results: The average calcium intake was (506.61+/-33.94)mg,and calcium intake in only 6.25% women reach standard. The main sources of dietary calcium were vegetable, milk, wheat, meat, and fruits. Thirty-three kinds of food, including 15 vegetables, 3 bean and its products, 4 kinds of milk, 5 kinds of wheat, 3 kinds of eggs, 1 kind of oil and 1 kind of fruit supplied about 90% of the dietary calcium.
Conclusion: The average calcium intake is low in perimenopausal women in Changsha. To improve the situation, we should increase intake of milk, bean, and its products, with calcium supplementation among these people.