Annual Changes in the Estimated Dietary Fiber Intake of Korean during 1991~2001

Lee, Hye Jung; Kim, Young Ah; Lee, Hye Sung

Abstract

The present study determined the estimated dietary fiber (DF) intake per capita of Korean from 1991 to 2001 andanalyzed the major food sources of dietary fiber for Korean using the data on per capita consumption of each food reported in the Korean National (Health and) Nutrition Survey Reports and the recently established DF database by the Korean Nutrition Society. The estimated mean daily DF intakes of Korean during the last 11 years (1991~2001) were in the range of 19.25~21.22 g or 9.97~11.99 g/1,000 kcal with a small range of fluctuations. As of 2001, average DF intake per capita of Korean was estimated as 20.92 g or 10.59 g/1,000 kcal. The average DF intake level was under the Adequate Intake for DF (12 g per 1,000 kcal) of the Dietary Reference Intakes (DRIs) for Koreans established in 2005. The level of DF intake was relatively lower in small city residents compared to the large city or rural area. The top two major food group sources of DF for Korean were vegetables and cereals, in addition, legumes, fruits, seaweeds and seasonings were included among top five food groups. The ratio of DF intake from fruits was gradually increased but the ratio from legumes was steadily decreased during the last 11 years. The mostly contributed single foods for DF intakes of Korean were Kimchi and rice regardless of year and area. Percentage of DF intake from top ten single foods was continuously decreased from 65% in 1991 to 51% in 2001. The results of this study revealed that DF intakes of Korean as of 2001 is insufficient compared to the Adequate Intake for DF for Korean and the source of fiber in Korean diet has been more various. Therefore the beneficial health effects of DF and the increased consumption of DF from a variety of food sources should be continuously emphasized through the nutritional education.