Trends in dietary intakes of vitamins A, C and E among Japanese men and women from 1974 to 2001

Abstract

AbstractObjectiveTo investigate long-term trends in dietary intakes of vitamins A, C and E in Japanese adults.DesignTime series by community-based nutrition survey.SettingTwo rural communities (Ikawa and Kyowa) between 1974 and 2001 in Japan.SubjectsA total of 3713 men and 3726 women aged 40–69 years.MethodsDietary intake data were collected by the 24 h dietary recall.ResultsIn Ikawa, mean intake of vitamin A (β-carotene and retinol) increased by 13–40 %; vitamins C and E increased by approximately 23–33 % among men and women from 1974–1977 to 1998–2000. In Kyowa, mean intake of vitamin A, primarily retinol, increased by 13–21 % among men and women; vitamin C from fruits decreased by 16 % among men; and vitamin E increased by 29 % among women from 1982–1986 to 1998–2001. Mean intake of vitamin E in the latest survey period was lower than the Adequate Intake among men and women in both communities. Generally, there were increased intakes of β-carotene and vitamin C from green/yellow and other vegetables; increased retinol intake from fish/shellfish, eggs, milk/dairy products and fats/oils; and increased vitamin E intake from green/yellow and other vegetables, fish/shellfish, eggs, milk/dairy products and fats/oils.ConclusionsMean intakes of the antioxidant vitamins A, C and E increased among middle-aged Japanese men and women between the 1970s and the 1990s except for decreased vitamin C among Kyowa men. The lower mean intake of vitamin E than the Adequate Intake should be considered a potential public health issue for the prevention of CVD.