[Status of Dietary Calcium Intake of Chinese Residents]

Objective: To describe the calcium intake of different age and gender residents in different area in China.

Methods: 68962 study' participants were came from 23,470 households who were randomly selected from 132 counties in 31 provinces, autonomous regions and the municipalities in China. The 24-hour dietary recall method for 3 consecutive days was used to collect food intake information, except for the condiment intake, which was collected by weighting method.

Results: The average intakes of calcium were low in Chinese population. The average intake of calcium of male people were more higher than those of female people, while the intake level of urban residents were more higher than those of rural residents. The calcium intake of the most persons could reach 20%-60% of adequate intake (Al). Less than 5% person's calcium intake could reach AI. Only 1.1% to 1.7% adolescents aged 11 years to 13 years whose calcium intake level could reach AI. The main sources of calcium were vegetable, bean and bean product, wheat and rice, which provided 35.2%, 13.9%, 11.2% and 9.1% calcium respectively, only 4.3% calcium came from dairy products.

Conclusion: The deficiency of calcium is a common problem in Chinese residents. In particular, the adolescents are the most serious group.