Trends in dietary intakes of vitamins A, C and E among Japanese men and women from 1974 to 2001.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate long-term trends in dietary intakes of vitamins A, C and E in Japanese adults.


METHODS
Time series by community-based nutrition survey.


METHODS
Two rural communities (Ikawa and Kyowa) between 1974 and 2001 in Japan.


METHODS
A total of 3713 men and 3726 women aged 40-69 years.


METHODS
Dietary intake data were collected by the 24 h dietary recall.


RESULTS
In Ikawa, mean intake of vitamin A (beta-carotene and retinol) increased by 13-40%; vitamins C and E increased by approximately 23-33% among men and women from 1974-1977 to 1998-2000. In Kyowa, mean intake of vitamin A, primarily retinol, increased by 13-21% among men and women; vitamin C from fruits decreased by 16% among men; and vitamin E increased by 29% among women from 1982-1986 to 1998-2001. Mean intake of vitamin E in the latest survey period was lower than the Adequate Intake among men and women in both communities. Generally, there were increased intakes of beta-carotene and vitamin C from green/yellow and other vegetables; increased retinol intake from fish/shellfish, eggs, milk/dairy products and fats/oils; and increased vitamin E intake from green/yellow and other vegetables, fish/shellfish, eggs, milk/dairy products and fats/oils.


CONCLUSIONS
Mean intakes of the antioxidant vitamins A, C and E increased among middle-aged Japanese men and women between the 1970s and the 1990s except for decreased vitamin C among Kyowa men. The lower mean intake of vitamin E than the Adequate Intake should be considered a potential public health issue for the prevention of CVD.
Kato
Yoshimi
Y
Department of Public Health Medicine, Graduate School of Comprehensive Human Sciences, Institute of Community Medicine, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Japan.
Ikehara
Satoyo
S
Maruyama
Koutatsu
K
Inagawa
Mieko
M
Oshima
Miyuki
M
Yokota
Kimiko
K
Yamazaki
Taeko
T
Kishi
Masa
M
Murai
Sachiko
S
Umesawa
Mitsumasa
M
Ma
Enbo
E
Yamagishi
Kazumasa
K
Tanigawa
Takeshi
T
Kurokawa
Michinori
M
Sato
Shinichi
S
Shimamoto
Takashi
T
Iso
Hiroyasu
H
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001205:Ascorbic Acid / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D004032:Diet / Q000639:trends*; D004034:Diet Surveys; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007564:Japan; D008297:Male; D011939:Mental Recall; D008875:Middle Aged; D012424:Rural Population / Q000706:statistics & numerical data / Q000639:trends; D014801:Vitamin A / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D014810:Vitamin E / Q000008:administration & dosage*
D014801:Vitamin A; D014810:Vitamin E; D001205:Ascorbic Acid