The Chinese dietary structure has experienced remarkable shifts over the last decade, yet a comprehensive and spatially granular assessment of essential nutrient intake remains limited. This study systematically evaluates the differences and trends of nutrient intake across China. Using data from the Chinese Statistical Yearbook (2016–2021), we assessed the intake of 13 essential nutrients and the Nutrient-Rich Food Index (NRF9.3) to compare dietary quality between urban and rural regions. The results showed nutrient intake generally increased, with NRF9.3 rising by 11%–20% over five years. Notably, calcium and vitamin A intakes remained substantially below recommendations (by 38% and 54%, respectively), whereas magnesium, zinc, iron, and vitamin C exceeded recommended levels by 20%–88%. Urban residents showed higher intakes of vitamin A, vitamin C, and calcium, but lower overall NRF9.3 scores than their rural counterparts. Scenario analysis suggested that a healthy diet requires more vegetables, fruits, and dairy, and less meat, grains, and sugar. Our analysis revealed that the nutrient intake in China improved significantly, however large inequalities between urban and rural residents across regions persisted. These findings underscore the urgent need for targeted nutritional interventions and provide a scientific basis for shaping public health strategies to enhance diet equity and quality in China.
Luo et al. (Tue,) studied this question.