[Measuring diet quality of chinese 18 - 59 years adult using chinese diet balance index].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the overall diet quality of Chinese adults using Chinese Diet Balance Index and the validity of DBI. METHODS: 28320 adult aged 18 - 59 years who had completed 3 day dietary information and basic information were selected from 2002 National Nutrition and Health Survey. Diet quality were evaluated by using DBI scoring and evaluating system. RESULTS: The major problems of Chinese residents are adequate food intake and excessive food intake co-exist. dietary quality are different between urban and rural populations, the extent of lower intake and excessive intake both is higher in rural areas than in urban areas. It shows that the extent of dietary imbalance is worse and severe among rural residents. The diet quality is effected by individual education level and family income. CONCLUSIONS: Comparing with the other measurements, DBI can describe the overall dietary quality more comprehensive, be easier to find out the major problem of the dietary pattern, and describe the extend of the problem numerically.

[Approaching Chinese diet balance index].

OBJECTIVE: To establish Chinese Diet Balance Index (DBI).; To evaluate the overall diet quality; To provide an effective measurement instrument for researchers, food and nutrition policy makers and the public. METHODS: The Dietary Guidelines for Chinese Residents motivated the selection of food-based components. The components were weighted and assigned cut-offs and point schemes based on the Chinese Food Guide Pagoda. Five scoring method are used to combine the component scores. RESULTS: 8 food-based components were selected, these are the intake of cereals, vegetable and fruit, bean and dairy, animal food, alcohol, salt, oil as well as the food variety. The scoring system including total score, lower bound score, higher bound scores, and diet quality distance can reflect both under and over intake. DBI can be used as a measurement to evaluate the dietary quality of the individual or the population.

Effects of red palm oil on serum lipids and plasma carotenoids level in Chinese male adults.

OBJECTIVE: Effects of red palm oil on major plasma carotenoids, tocopherol, retinol and serum lipids were evaluated when used in Chinese diet. METHODS: Red palm oil group (RPO) composed of 20 male subjects(aged 18-32) and soybean oil group (SBO) composed of 22 male subjects (aged 18-32). Dietary fat provided about 28% of total calories, and the test oil accounted for about 60% of total dietary fat. In the 3 weeks of pretest period, diets were prepared with soybean oil, and then in the next 6 weeks subjects in each group consumed the diet prepared by test oil. RESULTS: Plasma alpha-carotene, beta-carotene and lycopene concentration of RPO group significantly increased at the time of interim (21 days) and of the end (42 days) (P < 0.05), and alpha-tocopherol concentration significantly increased at the time of the end (42 days) in this study. Though Chinese plasma retinol level was relatively low when compared with that of Westerners, red palm oil diet showed no significant effect on adult Chinese plasma retinol level. Serum concentration of total cholesterol, triglyceride, high density lipoprotein cholesterol, apolipoprotein AI and apolipoprotein B of all subjects showed no significant changes in RPO group during the study. CONCLUSIONS: The data in our study suggest that red palm oil is a good source of carotenoids and vitamin E when used in Chinese diet preparation, and it can significantly increase plasma concentration of alpha-carotene, beta-carotene, lycopene and alpha-tocopherol.

[Effects of calcium and vitamin D-fortified milk on physical development in school girls aged 10 to 12 years].

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the effects of calcium and vitamin D supplementation in fortified milk on physical development in Chinese school girls aged 10 - 12 years. METHODS: A non-randomized, double-blind intervention trial was carried out at nine primary schools of Beijing for two years. Seven hundred and fifty-seven girls (with an average age of 10.1 years) were recruited from nine primary schools in Beijing, China. They were divided into three trial groups, a control group (n = 259) having regular diet without milk supplementation, Group 1 (n = 238) having regular diet supplemented with 144 ml/d of calcium-fortified milk, and Group 2 (n = 260) having regular diet supplemented with 144 ml/d of calcium and vitamin D-fortified milk. Data of dietary intake and physical activities were collected by questionnaire, and height, weight, sitting height and knee height were measured before, during and after intervention. RESULTS: Two years after intervention, the percentage increases in height and weight were significantly greater in Groups 1 and 2 than those in control group (9.52%, 9.26% and 8.59% in height, and 34.53%, 35.38% and 30.91% in weight, respectively). The percentage increase of sitting height was greater in Group 1 than those in Group 2, and then than that in control group (9.21%, 8.58% and 7.87%, respectively). The percentage increase of knee height was significantly greater in Group 1 than that in Group 2 and control group (9.00%, 8.37% and 8.44%, respectively). CONCLUSION: Calcium and vitamin D-fortified milk supplementation could promote their physical development in girls aged 10 - 12 years.