OBJECTIVETo analyze the long-term shifts in fruit and vegetable intakes in Chinese children and adolescents between 1991 and 2009 and related impact from socio-economic factors on such dynamics.

METHODSData was from the seven waves of the China Health and Nutrition Survey. 12 596 children and adolescents aged 6 to 17 years with full data of 3-day-24-hour dietary recall, together with related demographic and socioeconomic factors were chosen as the study subjects.

RESULTSThe consumption rates of fruits and vegetables showed an significant increasing trend, from 58.3% in 1991 to 82.4%, on dark-color vegetables(χ(2) = 213.2, P < 0.01), from 94.4% to 96.9% on light-color vegetable(χ(2) = 11.6, P < 0.0001)and from 12.6% to 45.4% for fruits(χ(2) = 571.2, P < 0.0001)in 2009. The median intake of total vegetables decreased from 250.0 g/d in 1991 to 225.8 g/d in 2009(χ(2) = 72.4, P < 0.0001) and the light-color vegetable decreased by 36.6 g/d. However, among the corresponding consumers, the fruit intake increased about 50.0 g/d (χ(2) = 104.2, P < 0.01)and the dark-color vegetable intake decreased about 40.0 g/d (χ(2) = 92.8, P < 0.0001 ). The proportion of children who reached the minimum intake of vegetable(300 g/d)recommended by Dietary Guidelines for Chinese 2007 decreased from 38.9% in 1991 to 26.8% in 2011 and the proportion of children who had met the minimum intake(200 g/d)increased from 2.0% to 13.9% . 25.1% of the children consumed dark-color vegetables more than half of the total vegetable intake. Schooling of the mother and family income had important impact on fruit consumption of the children.

CONCLUSIONRates on fruit and vegetable consumption showed an increasing trend among Chinese children and adolescents over the past 20 years. However, the vegetable intake significantly decreased and the fruit intake increased slightly. Chinese Children posed a greater risk on insufficient intake on both vegetables and fruits. Comprehensive and effective programs should be taken to increase vegetable and fruit intakes in order to improve the nutritional status of children.