A survey shows that, in southern China’s Guangdong Province, some rural residents, including children, pregnant women, and wet nurses, have anemia and emaciation caused by malnutrition. At the same time, the average fat input rate of Cantonese has surpassed the WHO standard, resulting in more residents suffering from high blood pressure and cardio-vascular diseases.

The two-year survey concerning diet, nutrition and other health problems covered 30,000 local people, according to the news released by the Chronicle Non-contagious Disease Research Institute of the Guangdong Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention on June 22.

The diet and nutrition survey started in 2002. Medical workers investigated 7,708 people from 2,393 families in both urban and rural areas. Surveyed sample items involved condiments and seasonings, food input in 24 hours, and hemoglobin level. The result shows that most Cantonese have an input of too much protein, fat, and sodium, but insufficient vitamin and calcium.

The survey reveals the following characteristics of Cantonese diet.

First, they take rice as their main stable food; wheat and other grains are seldom eaten.

Second, animal food consuming increases sharply, especially in high-income families. Over 50 percent of the local people’s protein and fat is from animal food; and 33 percent of the calorie needed by the body is from fat. 

Third, Cantonese eat too much salt but too little sugar.

Fourth, the consuming of milk and soybean products remains low, though figures for both have risen a little bit. In average, only 3.8 percent of the protein is gained through soybean foods; the rate is lower than the national average of 5.1 percent. Milk consuming in rural areas is only 2.6 gram per capita per day.

Experts say that animal food consuming is still rising, making calorie provided by fat surpass the WHO standard. They suggest that Guangdong residents maintain traditional Chinese diet, and take more fish and poultry instead of pork. Meanwhile, they should take more milk and soybean food to help make up the calcium deficiency. 

(China.org.cn by Li Liangdu, July 2, 2004)