[Control the increasing of the prevalence of overweight and obesity by covering the energy gap of Chinese population].

OBJECTIVE: To estimate the quantity of the excess energy accumulation according to the weight change in a follow up population. Confirm the energy gap and give the quantitative goal for how much change in energy balance is needed. METHODS: This paper was based on data collected in the China Health and Nutrition Survey. We selected the adults, 20-45 years old healthy men and women, who took part in the survey in 1989 and were followed up in 2000. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: From 1989 to 2000, the weight average of this population increased from 55.4 kg to 59.1 kg. The medium of the increasing rate was 0.33 kg/y. The prevalence of overweight has increased dramatically from 9.0% to 23.2% from 1989 to 2000. Assuming that each kilogram of body weight gained represents 32284.6 kJ. We estimated that the medium of the excess energy accumulation was 29.3 kJ/d and the 90th percentile was 94.2 kJ/d. Moreover energy derived from mixed composition diets is stored with an efficiency of at least 50% for nearly everyone. So we can estimated the energy gap should be 188.3 kJ/d. This estimate suggests that the behavior change needed to close the energy gap may be small and achievable without drastically altering current life-styles. For example, intaking 2%-3% less of the energy everyday or walk 10 minutes could offset weight gain in about 90% of the population.