Sodium content targets for pre-packaged foods, China: a quantitative study and proposal.

Objective: To determine the contribution of pre-packaged foods to population sodium intake in China, and to propose sodium content targets for food subcategories used for the World Health Organization's (WHO's) global sodium benchmarks. Methods: The impact of four different approaches to reducing the sodium content of pre-packaged foods on population sodium intake was estimated using data from national databases covering the nutrient content and ingredients of 51 803 food products and food consumption by 15 670 Chinese adults. We recategorized food products using a food categorization framework developed for WHO's global sodium benchmarks and adapted for China-specific foods. Findings: Pre-packaged foods, including condiments, contributed 1302.5 mg/day of sodium intake per adult in 2021, accounting for 30.1% of population sodium intake in China. Setting maximum sodium content levels using a 90th-percentile target would reduce sodium intake from pre-packaged foods by 96.2 mg/day, corresponding to a 1.9% reduction in population intake. Using the 75th-percentile, a fixed 20% reduction and WHO benchmark targets would further reduce intake by 262.0 mg/day (5.2% population intake), 302.8 mg/day (6.0% population intake) and 701.2 mg/day per person (13.9% population intake), respectively. Maximum sodium content levels based on revised 20% reduction targets were proposed because they should result in substantial and acceptable reductions in sodium content for most food subcategories: overall sodium intake would decline by 305.0 mg/day per person, and population intake by 6.1%. Conclusion: This study provides the scientific rationale for government policy on setting targets for food sodium content in China. Simultaneous action on discretionary salt use should also be taken.

San Jie Tong Mai Fang Protects Against Atherosclerosis Progression by Regulating Macroautophagy through the PI3K/AKT/mTOR Signaling Pathway.

ABSTRACT: Many studies have confirmed that macrophage autophagy injury negatively impacts the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis (AS). Meanwhile, the phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K)/protein kinase B (AKT)/mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling pathway affects AS progression by regulating macrophage autophagy. We previously reported that the herbal formula San Jie Tong Mai Fang (SJTMF) elicits lipid regulatory and anti-inflammatory properties. Hence, the current study used an ApoE -/- high-fat diet-fed mouse model to determine whether SJTMF elicits protective effects against AS progression by means of the regulation of macrophage autophagy through the PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway. Our results show that SJTMF reduced the number of atherosclerotic plaques, foam cell formation, and intimal thickness in mouse aorta. In addition, SJTMF improved blood lipid metabolism and inflammatory levels in mice. We also observed that SJTMF caused macrophages to be polarized toward the M2 phenotype through the inhibition of the PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway. In addition, the abundances of LC3-II/I and beclin1 proteins-key autophagy molecules-were increased, whereas that of p62 was decreased, resulting in the promotion of macrophage autophagy. Taken together, these findings indicate that SJTMF may regulate the polarization of macrophages by inhibiting the PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway, thereby reducing atherosclerotic plaque damage in ApoE -/- mice, thereby promoting macrophage autophagy and eliciting a significant antiarteriosclerosis effect. Hence, SJTMF may represent a promising new candidate drug for the treatment of AS.

[Comparative study on the essential composition content of commercial infant formula with the requirements in the new national food safety standard in China from 2017 to 2022].

OBJECTIVE: In order to understand the distribution of the essential nutrients content in commercial infant formula in China, and to compare its conformity with the new national standard(GB 10765-2021). METHODS: A total of 477 infant fomulas with production data from January 2017 to June 2022 were collected in China. Information in the product labels was recorded and the distribution of nutrient contents was analyzed, compare with the national food safety standard. RESULTS: Compared with GB 10765-2010, the new standard had 12 essential nutrients content revised, and 10 of which had lower limit values adjusted and 5 of which had upper limit values adjusted. Both the lower and upper limits were increased for three items, including vitamin D, choline and selenium. Compared with the newly revised 12 essential nutrients in the national food safety standard, the coincidence rate of 3 items was 100%, and the coincidence rate of 3 items was more than 80%. The coincidence rate of the actual content of essential nutrients in some products was low, the reason was that they did not meet the lower limit requirements of the new national standard, for example, the non-coincidence rate of vitamin D was as high as 99.79%. In addition, the national food safety standard adjusts choline from an selectable nutrient to an essential one, and the proportion of choline added to commercial products was 84.7%. CONCLUSION: The change of the content of essential nutrients in the new standard has little influence on the products sold in our country. There are a few essential nutrient in the products on the market that need to be adjusted to raise the nutrient level.

[Comparative study on the essential composition content of commercial follow-up formula for young children with the requirements in the new national food safety standard in China from 2017 to 2022].

OBJECTIVE: To understand the distribution of the essential composition content of commercial follow-up formula for young children in China, to analyze the differences with the new requirements of national food safety standard, and to promote the implementation of the new national standard(GB 10767-2021). METHODS: The label information on the total of 483 follow-up formula for young children permitted from January 2017 to June 2022 were collected and recorded, the distribution of essential compositions were analyzed and compared with the new national food safety standard. RESULTS: Compared with GB 10767-2010, 23 essential compositions were revised in the new national standard, 2 new essential compositions, α-linolenic acid and carbohydrates, were required, and 8 minimum requirements and 4 maximum requirements were revised, 16 new maximum requirements were developed. The whole change of the new standard was major. Comparing with GB 10767-2021, there were 8 essential compositions in commercial products with 100% compliance rate and 9 with more than 95% compliance rate, the discordance rate of pantothenic acid, folic acid, vitamin C and Vitamin D was more than 20%, Vitamin D has the highest discordance rate 97.10%. CONCLUSION: Although the revision of the essential composition requirements in the new national standard is major, the compliance rate of almost essential compositions is high. A few of individual essential compositions in some commercial products cannot meet the new standards requirements, the main reason is those can not reach the increased new minimum requirements, especially on vitamin D.

Trans fatty acid intake among Chinese population: a longitudinal study from 1991 to 2011.

OBJECTIVE: This study was aimed to roughly describe individual Trans Fatty Acids (TFAs) intake and the percentage of energy intake(E%), and identify major food sources in the Chinese population, taking gender, age, and regional distribution into the consideration, as well as examining temporal changes over the course of 20 years. METHOD: This multi-center study, covering nine provinces among populations aged ≥ 3 in China, was conducted to collect food consumption information from 1991 to 2011. A classical assessment method was used to estimate the level of dietary TFA intake. RESULTS: Over the 20-year period, the intake of TFAs in Chinese populations had increased, but remained at a relatively lower level (from 0.25 g/d(0.11% for E%) to 0.53 g/d(0.24% for E%)) compared with that of other countries and the World Health Organization (WHO) recommended level. Collectively, males and participants aged 19-60 generally consumed more TFA-containing foods. People in eastern regions consumed more TFAs and had a higher E% than those in western area. Industrial sources of TFAs, especially vegetable oil, ranked as the principal food sources of TFAs in the Chinese population. Natural sources of TFAs have gradually increased in proportion among children and adolescents. CONCLUSIONS: TFA intake and the E% are commonly under the recommended level in the general population in China. Presently, restriction of vegetable oil could be a crucial method to reduce TFA intake. It would be critical to facilitate and promote public health that food recommendations might be based on the dietary preferences for population separated by different ages and regions.

AICAR activates ER stress-dependent apoptosis in gallbladder cancer cells.

AICAR (5-Aminoimidazole-4-carboxamide riboside or acadesine) is an AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) agonist, its activity in human gallbladder cancer cells was evaluated here. We show that AICAR provoked significant apoptosis in human gallbladder cancer cell lines (Mz-ChA-1, QBC939 and GBC-SD) and primary gallbladder cancer cells. AICAR-induced cytotoxicity in gallbladder cancer cells appears independent of AMPK activation. Inhibition of AMPK, via AMPKα shRNA knockdown or dominant negative mutation (T172A), failed to rescue GBC-SD cells from AICAR. Further, forced-activation of AMPK, by adding two other AMPK activators (A769662 and Compound 13), or expressing a constitutively-active mutant AMPKα (T172D), didn't induce GBC-SD cell death. Remarkably, AICAR treatment in gallbladder cancer cells induced endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress activation, the latter was tested by caspase-12 activation, C/EBP homologous protein (CHOP) expression and IRE1/PERK phosphorylation. Contrarily, salubrinal (the ER stress inhibitor), z-ATAD-fmk (the caspase-12 inhibitor) or CHOP shRNAs significantly attenuated AICAR-induced gallbladder cancer cell apoptosis. Together, we conclude that AICAR-induced gallbladder cancer cell apoptosis requires ER stress activation, but is independent of AMPK.

P2Y13 receptor-mediated rapid increase in intracellular calcium induced by ADP in cultured dorsal spinal cord microglia.

P2Y receptors have been implicated in the calcium mobilization by the response to neuroexcitatory substances in neurons and astrocytes, but little is known about P2Y receptors in microglia cells. In the present study, the effects of ADP on the intracellular calcium concentration ([Ca(2+)]i) in cultured dorsal spinal cord microglia were detected with confocal laser scanning microscopy using fluo-4/AM as a calcium fluorescence indicator that could monitor real-time alterations of [Ca(2+)]i. Here we show that ADP (0.01-100 µM) causes a rapid increase in [Ca(2+)]i with a dose-dependent manner in cultured microglia. The action of ADP on [Ca(2+)]i was significantly blocked by MRS2211 (a selective P2Y13 receptor antagonist), but was unaffected by MRS2179 (a selective P2Y1 receptor antagonist) or MRS2395 (a selective P2Y12 receptor antagonist), which suggest that P2Y13 receptor may be responsible for ADP-evoked Ca(2+) mobilization in cultured microglia. P2Y13-evoked Ca(2+) response can be obviously inhibited by BAPTA-AM and U-73122, respectively. Moreover, removal of extracellular Ca(2+) (by EGTA) also can obvious suppress the Ca(2+) mobilization. These results means both intracellular calcium and extracellular calcium are potentially important mechanisms in P2Y13 receptor-evoked Ca(2+) mobilization. However, P2Y13 receptor-evoked Ca(2+) response was not impaired after CdCl2 and verapamil administration, which suggest that voltage-operated Ca(2+) channels may be not related with P2Y13-evoked Ca(2+) response. In addition, Ca(2+) mobilization induced by ADP was abolished by different store-operated Ca(2+) channels (SOCs) blocker, 2-APB (50 µM) and SKF-96365 (1 mM), respectively. These observations suggest that the activation of P2Y13 receptor might be involved in the effect of ADP on [Ca(2+)]i in cultured dorsal spinal cord microglia. Furthermore, our results raise a possibility that P2Y13 receptor activation causes Ca(2+) release from Ca(2+) store, which leads to the opening of SOCs.

Distinct changes of taste quality and metabolite profile in different tomato varieties revealed by LC-MS metabolomics.

Breeding of tomato varieties based on phenotypic traits can potentially lead to a decline in taste and nutritional values, thereby impacting consumer acceptance. However, taste is an intrinsic characteristic of tomatoes. Its decoding requires the identification of crucial compounds and the associated metabolic pathways implicated in taste development and formation. In this study, the taste parameter differences of four tomato varieties were distinguished using an electronic tongue. The content of organic acids and free amino acids, which were closely associated with taste variations, was quantitatively analyzed. Several important taste metabolites and metabolic pathways were identified based on LC-MS metabolomics and enrichment analysis. Through correlation analysis, it was determined that there existed significant associations between the taste, compounds, and metabolites of tomato varieties with different phenotypes. This study could provide references and theoretical basis for tomato breeding, as well as the control and evaluation of taste and quality of tomato varieties.

Cardiovascular Disease Burden Attributable to High Sodium Intake in China: A Longitudinal Study from 1990 to 2019.

BACKGROUND: Overconsumption of sodium has been identified as a key driving factor for diet-related cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). China, being a country bearing a hefty burden of CVD, has a large population with diverse cultural traditions and ethnic beliefs, which complicates the patterns of dietary sodium intake, necessitating a systematic investigation into the profile of the high sodium intake (HSI)-related burden of CVD within its subregions. This study aims to estimate the evolving patterns of HSI-induced CVD burden across China from 1990 to 2019. METHODS: The methodology used in the Global Burden of Disease Study was followed to assess deaths and disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) by age, sex, region, and socio-demographic index (SDI). The estimated annual percentage change (EAPC) was calculated to quantify the secular changes in the age-standardized mortality rate (ASMR) and age-standardized DALY rate (ASDR). RESULTS: In 2019, 0.79 million deaths and 1.93 million DALYs of CVD were attributed to HSI, an increase of 53.91% and 39.39% since 1990, respectively. Nevertheless, a downward trend in ASMR (EAPC: -1.45, 95% CI: -1.55, -1.35) and ASDR (EAPC: -1.61, 95% CI: -1.68, -1.53) was detected over time. ASMR and ASDR were higher for males, individuals aged ≥60 years, and regions with low-middle SDI. A markedly negative association between the EAPC in both ASMR and ASDR and the SDI was found in 2019 (ρ = -0.659, p < 0.001 and ρ = -0.558, p < 0.001, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: The HSI-induced CVD burden is gender-, age-, and socioeconomic-dependent. Integrated and targeted strategies for CVD prevention are anticipated in the future throughout China.

Elucidating VSMC phenotypic transition mechanisms to bridge insights into cardiovascular disease implications.

Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) are the leading cause of death worldwide, despite advances in understanding cardiovascular health. Significant barriers still exist in effectively preventing and managing these diseases. Vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) are crucial for maintaining vascular integrity and can switch between contractile and synthetic functions in response to stimuli such as hypoxia and inflammation. These transformations play a pivotal role in the progression of cardiovascular diseases, facilitating vascular modifications and disease advancement. This article synthesizes the current understanding of the mechanisms and signaling pathways regulating VSMC phenotypic transitions, highlighting their potential as therapeutic targets in cardiovascular disease interventions.

[Development of a model diets for consumers with high exposure to food chemicals].

OBJECTIVE: To develop and verify a model diet for consumers with high exposure to food chemicals. METHODS: Based on the assumption that a person might consume average amounts of several different foods but only two or three at high levels, a model diet were put forward to calculate the high exposures to certain food chemical.Important parameters of this model were selected by comparing the outputs of this model with those of a reference model-semi-probabilistic model that is based on individual data. The concentration data of lead, cadmium and mercury (45 832, 43 862 and 25 243 samples respectively) from the national risk surveillance for chemical contaminations and harmful factors (2011), and the consumption data from the national survey on nutrition and health status in Chinese population (2002) were used in this model optimization process. The final model was verified using concentration data of eight chemical contaminations from national surveillance database of 2010. RESULTS: When 90, 95 and 97.5 percentile exposure being calculated under the conditions that 7, 12, 20 and 30 food categories was used respectively, the model containing two high consumption foods (2+x model) got results lower than the reference values (the relative deviation < 0) , the model containing three high consumption foods (3+x model) got results higher than the reference values (the relative deviation > 0 ),but the relative deviation of the two models were both within 20%. The verification results showed that the dietary exposure results of 8 food contaminations got from 3+x model were all higher than and(or) close to those got from semi-probabilistic model, and the relative deviations were between -5% and 25%. CONCLUSION: The 3+x model diet can fulfill the demands of "conservative" and "accurate" on exposure assessment model, and can give reliable estimations of high exposure to food chemicals occurred in various food categories.

[Survey on the consumption status of trans fatty acids food among the population over the age of 3 in Beijing and Guangzhou].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the intakes of trans fatty acids over the age of 3 in different populations, and to determine the high exposure food and population in two cities. METHODS: Use food frequency survey to investigate the frequency and the average intake of food containing trans fatty acids among subjects in the past three months. RESULTS: The first ranks high exposure food is vegetable oil, while other food is different in sequence among two cities. The common high exposure populations are 13-17 years old groups and students at school groups. CONCLUSION: The high exposure food and population are different among two cities, and the reasons are so various that we need further research.

[Malnutrition status and influencing factors in children with migrant worker mother in poor areas in China].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the malnutrition status and influencing factors in children with migrant worker mother in poor areas of 13 provinces. METHODS: Survey data was from the program of Public Health Emergency Response and Operation Mechanism-Establish the monitoring and information system on nutrition and health and related risk factors in 0-5 children in 2009 which funded by China CDC. Multistage stratified random cluster sampling method used in the national survey was performed. The contents of the investigation included questionnaire survey, anthropometric measurement,biochemical tests and dietary survey. The subjects of the study were 2161 children no more than 18 months in the survey. Z-scores were calculated according to WHO growth standards (2006). Data processing and multiple factors analysis were finished by non condition logistic regression in software SAS 9.12. RESULTS: There were 9.3% children whose mother were migrant workers in the target population. The prevalence of stunting and underweight in children with migrant worker mother was 15.5% and 6.0% Excluding other influencing factors, the results suggested that low birth weight (OR=2.543, 95% CI 1.481-4.365), minority nationality (OR=1.661, 95% CI 1.274-2.165), mother is migrant worker (OR=1.602,95% CI 1.085-2.367), the nearest medical institution at a distance of >or=1 km (OR=1.308, 95% CI 1.008-1.696), and unsanitary toilet (OR=1.311, 95% CI 1.017-1.689) are the most important independent factors among 0-18 months young children. CONCLUSION: Malnutrition in children with migrant worker mother in poor areas should not be ignored. Enhance the monitoring and adopt comprehensive improvement are useful to improve the growth of children.

Machine-learning prediction of BMI change among doctors and nurses in North China during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Objective: The COVID-19 pandemic has become a major public health concern over the past 3 years, leading to adverse effects on front-line healthcare workers. This study aimed to develop a Body Mass Index (BMI) change prediction model among doctors and nurses in North China during the COVID-19 pandemic, and further identified the predicting effects of lifestyles, sleep quality, work-related conditions, and personality traits on BMI change. Methods: The present study was a cross-sectional study conducted in North China, during May-August 2022. A total of 5,400 doctors and nurses were randomly recruited from 39 COVID-19 designated hospitals and 5,271 participants provided valid responses. Participants' data related to social-demographics, dietary behavior, lifestyle, sleep, personality, and work-related conflicts were collected with questionnaires. Deep Neural Network (DNN) was applied to develop a BMI change prediction model among doctors and nurses during the COVID-19 pandemic. Results: Of participants, only 2,216 (42.0%) individuals kept a stable BMI. Results showed that personality traits, dietary behaviors, lifestyles, sleep quality, burnout, and work-related conditions had effects on the BMI change among doctors and nurses. The prediction model for BMI change was developed with a 33-26-20-1 network framework. The DNN model achieved high prediction efficacy, and values of R 2, MAE, MSE, and RMSE for the model were 0.940, 0.027, 0.002, and 0.038, respectively. Among doctors and nurses, the top five predictors in the BMI change prediction model were unbalanced nutritional diet, poor sleep quality, work-family conflict, lack of exercise, and soft drinks consumption. Conclusion: During the COVID-19 pandemic, BMI change was highly prevalent among doctors and nurses in North China. Machine learning models can provide an automated identification mechanism for the prediction of BMI change. Personality traits, dietary behaviors, lifestyles, sleep quality, burnout, and work-related conditions have contributed to the BMI change prediction. Integrated treatment measures should be taken in the management of weight and BMI by policymakers, hospital administrators, and healthcare workers.

The Burden of Gastric Cancer Attributable to High Sodium Intake: A Longitudinal Study from 1990 to 2019 in China.

BACKGROUNDS: Excessive intake of sodium is a crucial risk factor of gastric cancer. However, it is still unclear whether the profile of gastric cancer burden is attributable to high sodium intake in China. This study aims to evaluate the levels and trends of gastric cancer burden attributable to high sodium intake across China from 1990 to 2019. METHODS: We acquired data from the GBD (Global Burden of Disease Study) 2019 via the Global Health Data Exchange query tool. The details of regions from 1 January 1990 to 31 December 2019 from the China National Center for Food Safety Risk Assessment were also used. We conducted an integrated analysis on the gastric cancer burden attributable to high sodium intake among Chinese residents. The gastric cancer-related deaths, disability-adjusted life years (DALYs), age-standardized mortality rate (ASMR), and age-standardized DALYs rate (ASDR), all being calculated to be attributable to sodium intake, were reckoned as separated by age, sex, SDI, and regions. Then, the estimated annual percentage change (EAPC) was regarded as the secular trends of gastric cancer's ASMR and ASDR due to high sodium intake from 1990 to 2019. We further explored the associations between SDI (Socio-demographic index) and the ASMR and ASDR. The rates were calculated per 100,000 population as age-standardized rates. RESULTS: Briefly, the number of gastric cancer-related deaths and DALYs being attributed to high sodium intake were 37,131.48 (95% UI: 833.14 to 138,478.72) and 873,813.19 (95% UI: 19,283.13 to 3,220,231.82) in 2019; both have increased by a third since 1990. However, the ASMR decreased with an EAPC of -1.72% (95% CI: -2.11% to -1.33%), while ASDR increased with an EAPC of 0.36% (95% CI: 0.08% to 0.68%), respectively. The age-specific numbers and rates of deaths, as well as DALYs of gastric cancer being attributed to high sodium intake, elevated gradually with age. And, they were higher in males than in females. The gastric cancer burden being attributed to high sodium intake in 2019 and its temporal trends from 1990 to 2019 varied greatly by SDI quintile and geographic locations. There was a strong negative association between the EAPC in ASMR and SDI in 2019 (ρ = -0.642, p < 0.001). The EAPC in ASDR and SDI also exhibited a negative connection in 2019 (ρ = -0.538, p = 0.0012). CONCLUSIONS: Overall, using a longitudinal sample from different regions, the study presented that gastric cancer burden attributed to high sodium intake still exists seriously and varies remarkably by regions, sex, and age across China. The disparity of socioeconomic status on disease burden also exists. Integrated and precise approaches for gastric cancer prevention are anticipated in the future.

Deep neural network for prediction of diet quality among doctors and nurses in North China during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Objective: The COVID-19 pandemic has placed unprecedented pressure on front-line healthcare workers, leading to poor health status, especially diet quality. This study aimed to develop a diet quality prediction model and determine the predictive effects of personality traits, socioeconomic status, lifestyles, and individual and working conditions on diet quality among doctors and nurses during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: A total of 5,013 doctors and nurses from thirty-nine COVID-19 designated hospitals provided valid responses in north China in 2022. Participants' data related to social-demographic characteristics, lifestyles, sleep quality, personality traits, burnout, work-related conflicts, and diet quality were collected with questionnaires. Deep Neural Network (DNN) was applied to develop a diet quality prediction model among doctors and nurses during the COVID-19 pandemic. Results: The mean score of diet quality was 46.14 ± 15.08; specifically, the mean scores for variety, adequacy, moderation, and overall balance were 14.33 ± 3.65, 17.99 ± 5.73, 9.41 ± 7.33, and 4.41 ± 2.98, respectively. The current study developed a DNN model with a 21-30-28-1 network framework for diet quality prediction. The DNN model achieved high prediction efficacy, and values of R2, MAE, MSE, and RMSE were 0.928, 0.048, 0.004, and 0.065, respectively. Among doctors and nurses in north China, the top five predictors in the diet quality prediction model were BMI, poor sleep quality, work-family conflict, negative emotional eating, and nutrition knowledge. Conclusion: During the COVID-19 pandemic, poor diet quality is prevalent among doctors and nurses in north China. Machine learning models can provide an automated identification mechanism for the prediction of diet quality. This study suggests that integrated interventions can be a promising approach to improving diet quality among doctors and nurses, particularly weight management, sleep quality improvement, work-family balance, decreased emotional eating, and increased nutrition knowledge.

Setting sodium targets for pre-packaged foods in China - an exploratory study.

Introduction: Setting sodium targets for pre-packaged food has been a priority strategy for reducing population sodium intake. This study aims to explore the attitudes and considerations of researchers and key stakeholders toward implementing such policy in China. Methods: An exploratory study comprising a survey and a focus group discussion was conducted among 27 purposively selected participants including 12 researchers, 5 consumers, 4 administrators, 3 industry association representatives and 3 food producers. The survey/discussion covered the key questions considered when developing/promoting sodium targets. Free-text responses were manually classified and summarized using thematic analysis. Results: Two-thirds of the participants supported target-setting policy. Researchers and administrators were most supportive, and food producers and associations were least supportive. Adapted WHO food categorization framework was well accepted to underpin target-setting to ensure international comparability and applicability for Chinese products. Maximum values were the most agreed target type. The WHO benchmarks were thought to be too ambitious to be feasible given the current food supply in China but can be regarded as long-term goals. Initially, a reduction of sodium content by 20% was mostly accepted to guide the development of maximum targets. Other recommendations included implementing a comprehensive strategy, strengthening research, engaging social resources, establishing a systematic monitoring/incentive system, maintaining a fair competitive environment, and developing a supportive information system. Target-setting policy was acceptable by most stakeholders and should be implemented alongside strategies to reduce discretionary salt use. Discussion: Our findings provide detailed guidance for the Chinese government when developing a target-setting strategy. The methods and results of this study also provide meaningful references for other countries to set sodium targets for pre-packaged foods and implement other salt reduction strategies simultaneously.

[Intervention for family feeding methods for nursling between 6 to 24 months in Zhouqu].

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the change of family feeding methods after nutrition intervention for nurslings between 6 to 24 months in Zhouqu . METHOD: Choose 252 nurslings in basic survey and 239 in final survey by PPS sampling and obtain the change of feeding methods by questionnaire. RESULTS: After the one year's intervention, the rate of pure breast feeding increases from 26.98% to 39.33%, the rate of breast feeding in one hour after the baby delivered increases from 17.06% to 38.09%. The rate of feeding formula powder increases from 27.28% to 61.51% and the status of feeding vegetable meat and bean are improved. The rate for early complementary feeding for special kings of food decreased. CONCLUSION: After the one year's intervention, the feeding methods improves in total, but there are still some problems. It isrequired to enhance intervention and formulate and implement a kind of reasonable intervention method to attach the objective of scientific feeding for nurslings.

[Analysis on the status and factors influencing the breastfeeding of children under 2 years of age in poverty stricken areas of China in 2007 - 2009].

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the main factors influencing the breastfeeding of children within 6 months after birth in poor areas, to provide effective intervention measures for improving the unreasonable behavior in order to promote healthy development of children. METHODS: Using the data of nutrition and health monitoring of children under 2 years of age in poor areas of China in 2007 - 2009. Analyzing the factors which influencing the behavior of feeding children. RESULTS: Single factor analysis and multivariate analysis showed that the nationality, place of delivery, main caregiver, family per capita income were important influencing factors. CONCLUSION: Health education is to be strengthened for improving the breastfeeding of children within 6 months after birth in poor areas, especially in ethnic minority areas and families with lower per capita income. Measures on interventions of these influencing factors and scientific feeding patterns should be established.

[Feeding status of children under 2 years old in poor rural areas of western China in 2009].

OBJECTIVE: To analyze feeding status of children under 2 years old in the poor rural areas of western China in 2009. METHODS: The study subjects were 2933 from the program of 'Study on appropriate technology of children under-nutrition improvement in poor rural areas'. RESULTS: In 2009, the rate of almost exclusive breast-feeding of children under 6 months in poor rural areas of western China was 38.3%, the time of giving complementary food was the 5th month and the weaning time was the 10th month. CONCLUSION: The study demonstrated that it is unreasonable of feeding status in poor rural areas of western China.