Assessing the Nutrient Adequacy in China’s Food Supply from 1965 to 2018

Abstract

Nutritional intake has important impacts on human health. A sufficient supply of nutrients is required to ensure high-level nutrition in a population. Assessment of nutrient supply adequacy can help to develop evidence-based policies and thereby promote public health. This study estimates the supply adequacy of nutrients in China’s food system from 1965 to 2018 at the national level, aiming to reveal whether the supply of nutrients meets the demand. The results show that the nutrient supply in China’s food system has experienced a sharp increase in the past five decades, and the deficiency in nutrient supply has been greatly mitigated. Although most nutrients such as potassium are already sufficiently supplied in China’s current food system, some nutrients, especially calcium and zinc, still need a further enlarged supply to improve the nutrition condition of the Chinese population. Besides encouraging a healthy diet, supply-side regulation, e.g., fortification and enrichment, is also needed to improve nutrient availability. This study helps people better understand the development and current situation of nutrient adequacy in China’s food supply, thereby providing information and implications for policymakers.