Trends and Characteristics of the Whole-Grain Diet.

Abstract

Whole-grain foods are good choices for a nutritious diet and play an important role in lowering the risk of chronic diseases. China is a large cereal-consuming country that is experiencing rapid economic growth and an increased burden of noncommunicable diseases. Studies have shown that insufficient intake of whole grains has increased the burden on public health to some extent. Therefore, we aimed to analyze the characteristics and trends of whole-grain consumption in China to contribute to the development of a healthy Chinese population. We searched for important policies, standards, and dietary recommendations related to whole grains through the official websites of the China State Council and its affiliated ministries. Official and public databases, such as the National Bureau of Statistics and the China Health and Nutrition Survey (CHNS), were utilized to obtain data on whole grains and different foods. This approach was employed to gain insight into changes in whole-grain intake levels and dietary structure. Since 2010, the development of whole grains in China has received significant attention. Supportive policies have been continuously introduced on both the supply and demand sides. Numerous whole-grain standards have been developed, and terms and definitions related to whole grains have been preliminarily defined. The consumption of whole grains has fluctuated among Chinese residents since 2000, with a downward trend from 2000 to 2009, followed by an upward trend from 2009 to 2018. However, despite this increasing trend, the whole-grain intake of 80% of the adult residents was still lower than the minimum recommended dietary intake (50[Formula: see text]g/day). Furthermore, the dietary structure of Chinese residents has undergone a significant transformation, characterized by high consumption of high-fat foods, excessive consumption of meat, low intake of dietary fiber, and insufficient consumption of whole grains. These findings highlight the need for further monitoring of whole-grain intake in China. In addition, a sound whole-grain standardization system should be established, and the availability and consumer awareness of whole grains should be improved, with the goal of increasing the intake of whole grains.