Intakes of dietary energy and macronutrients among the elderly aged 65 and above in China in 2015

Objective To analyze the intakes of dietary energy and macronutrients among the elderly aged 65 and above in China in 2015. Methods Data was from the China National Chronic Non-communicable Disease and Nutrition Surveillance of adults in 2015. Stratified multistage cluster sampling method was used. The valid dietary data of 18 161 the elderly aged 65 and above were extracted from 302 surveillance sites in 31 provinces. Consecutive 3-day 24-hour dietary recall method and household cooking oils and condiments weighting method were applied to collect dietary intakes data. The intakes of daily energy and macronutrients were calculated using China Food Composition Tables 2004 and 2009, and the dietary quality were evaluated according to 2013 Chinese Dietary Reference Intakes. Results The study showed that the average intake of daily energy was 1595. 5 kcal, the average intake of carbohydrates, proteins and fats were 208. 7 g, 47. 9 g and 63. 6 g, respectively. The proportion of energy from carbohydrates, proteins and fats were 52. 7%, 12. 1% and 35. 4%, respectively. The carbohydrates intake and proportion of energy from carbohydrates among urban elderly were 202. 3 g and 51. 4%, all lower than that in rural(213. 6 g and 53. 7%, Pl0. 05). While the proteins intake and proportion of energy from proteins among urban elderly were 50. 8 g and 12. 9%, all higher than rural elderly(45. 6 g and 11. 5%, Pl0. 001). The fats intake and proportion of energy from fats among urban elderly were 64. 1 g and 35. 9%, rural elderly were 63. 3 g and 35. 0%, there were no significant differences in fats intake and proportion of energy from fats between urban elderly and rural elderly(Pg0. 05). The dietary intake of energy and macronutrients among the oldest old were lowest, especially those in rural areas, were 1394. 4 kcal, 182. 4 g, 40. 1 g and 56. 4 g. In 2015, the rate of energy lower than EER among the elderly was 75. 8%, and the rate of percentage of energy from carbohydrates lower than DRIs was 41. 5%. The rate of proteins lower than recommended nutrient intake was 76. 6%. The rate of percentage of energy from fats higher than dietary reference intakes was 64. 5%. Conclusion In China, the unreasonable dietary intake among the elderly aged 65 and above is severe, and the oldest old especially those in rural areas have the most serious deficiency in proteins intake.