OBJECTIVETo explore the status and trend of cereal consumption among Chinese adults aged 18 to 59 years in nine provinces (municipality) from 1989 to 2006.

METHODSThe survey data were collected by consecutive 3 d 24 h dietary recall method in 1989, 1991, 1993, 1997, 2000, 2004 and 2006 China Health and Nutrition Survey Project. The subjects aged 18-59 years with complete information on dietary survey were included. The sample number of the subjects were 5978, 7566, 7492, 7738, 8439, 7484 and 7157 in the 7 round surveys from 1989 to 2006, respectively. The trends of their cereal consuming rate and daily intake were analyzed by year, gender, age and regions.

RESULTSThe cereal intake of 18 - 59 years old Chinese adults in 9 provinces (municipality) decreased from 522.3 g/d in 1989 to 431.9 g/d in 2006 (χ(2) = 2421.76, P < 0.01). The cereal intake of males decreased from 545.6 g/d in 1989 to 471.6 g/d in 2006 (χ(2) = 861.21, P < 0.01) and females decreased from 500.3 g/d in 1989 to 395.5 g/d in 2006 (χ(2) = 1844.13, P < 0.01). Compared with 1989, the average cereal consumption were reduced to 104.8, 134.4, 103.3 and 98.2 g in the suburban, female, 18 to 29 years old age group and level of education for college and above separately in 2006. The rice consuming rate among 18 - 59 year-old residents increased from 79.9% (4776/5978) in 1989 to 87.3% (6248/7157) (Z = 18.45, P < 0.01) in 2006, the wheat consuming rate increased from 63.3% (3784/5978) in 1989 to 80.2% (5740/7157) (Z = 27.28, P < 0.01) in 2006.

CONCLUSIONThe present study indicated that there was a decreasing trend of cereal intake among Chinese adults aged 18 - 59 years in 9 provinces (municipality). In the stratified groups, cereal intake in groups of female, suburb, aged 18 - 59 years and higher educational level decreased significantly.