Objective: To describe the dietary diversity and micronutrients adequacy among women of reproductive age during 2015-2017 in China.
Methods: Data was from the China Nutrition and Health Surveillance in 2015-2017. Stratified multistage cluster sampling method was used, and 17622 women aged 15-49 years from 31 provinces(autonomous regions and municipalities) were involved. We analyzed the minimum dietary diversity and micronutrient adequacy among women of reproductive age with Food and Agriculture Organization(FAO) recommended indicator and the dietary reference intake for China(2023). Chi-square test was used for statistical difference.
Results: There were 7078(40.2%) women aged 15-49 years meeting minimum dietary diversity for women(MDD-W) in 2015-2017, and it was 3817(52.1%)and 3261(31.7%)in urban and rural areas respectively, there was significant difference(χ~2=739.09, P<0.01). Women of reproductive age often consume grains, roots and tubes(99.8%), other vegetables(84.6%) and flesh food(76.5%), and the percentage of nuts and seeds(7.9%) and dairy products(10%) consumption was lower. Nutrient adequacy ratio for iron(0.98), zinc(0.95) and niacin(0.91) was above 0.9, and nutrient adequacy ratio for vitamin B_1(0.69), vitamin C(0.68), vitamin B_2(0.63), vitamin A(0.63) and calcium(0.46) were lower than 0.7. Adjusted by energy intake, residence, age and area, women who achieved the MDD-W reported higher adequacy ratios for micronutrients, and the difference was significant(P<0.01).
Conclusion: The proportions of women meeting MDD-W was at a lower level in China. Calcium and B vitamins were relatively inadequate.
Keywords: dietary diversity score; minimum dietary diversity; nutrient adequacy ratio; women of reproductive age.