[Amount, sources and distribution of protein intake in Chinese adults aged 60 years and above in 15 provinces (autonomous regions and municipalities) in 2018].

Objective: To analyze the amount, sources, and meal distribution of protein intake in Chinese adults aged ≥ 60 in 15 provinces(autonomous regions and municipalities) in 2018.

Methods: A multistage, random cluster design was employed in China Health and Nutrition Survey in 2018. A total of 4941 participants aged ≥60 years were included in the analysis. The 3 consecutive day 24-hour dietary recall was used to collect information on food intake, and the condiment intake was collected by weighting and bookkeeping method. Protein intake was calculated by food composition table.

Results: The study subjects aged between 60 to 97.5 years old, with males accounting for 46.49% and rural population accounting for 58.98%. The median daily protein intake of study subjects was 0.93 g/kg BW. The proportion of males and females who achieved recommended nutrient intake(RNI) of protein intake was 35.87% and 34.34%, respectively. The median protein intake of study subjects for breakfast, lunch, and dinner was 0.22, 0.34 and 0.33 g/kg BW, respectively. The proportion of males and females with no meal reaching 0.4 g/kg BW protein intake was 45.41% and 48.22%, respectively. The average number of meals reaching 0.4 g/kg BW protein intake throughout the day was 0.84 and 0.80 for males and females, respectively. The average proportions of animal protein and plant protein for the study subjects were 35.25% and 64.75%, respectively. The average coefficient of variation for protein intake was 0.34.

Conclusion: The daily and meal protein intake of the Chinese adults aged 60 and above in 15 provinces(autonomous regions and municipalities) are relatively low. Protein intake in breakfast is much lower than that in lunch and dinner. The main source of dietary protein throughout a day is from plant-based food.