Objective: To understand the dietary iron, zinc, selenium, and copper intake and food sources of residents aged 18 years and above in 10 provinces(autonomous regions) of China.
Methods: Using the data of China Development and Nutrition Health Impact Cohort Survey from 2022 to 2023, 9981 residents aged 18 and above with complete three consecutive days with 24 h dietary recalls were selected as the research subjects. The intake status and food sources of dietary iron, zinc, selenium, and copper were analyzed and compared with the estimated average requirement(EAR) of iron, zinc, selenium and copper for Chinese residents.
Results: The median daily intake of iron, zinc, selenium, and copper among adult residents in ten provinces was 17.4 mg, 8.7 mg, 38.3 μg, and 1.2 mg, respectively; the mean intake was 19.8 mg, 9.4 mg, 41.3 μg, and 1.4 mg, respectively. The percentages of adult residents whose dietary intakes of iron, zinc, selenium, and copper were below the Estimated Average Requirement(EAR) were 11.2%, 44.5%, 72.0%, and 12.1%, respectively.
Conclusion: The primary sources of dietary iron, zinc, and copper for adult residents are plant-based foods. Adult residents, particularly males aged 60 and older, are at a higher risk of insufficient dietary zinc intake, and females aged 18 to 45 are at a higher risk of insufficient dietary iron intake.
Keywords: adult residents; copper; iron; selenium; zinc.