CHINA NUTRIENT AVAILABILITY AND SOURCES, 1950-91

The rapid changes in China's economy and data availability have led to the need for a quantitative assessment of its food and nutrient situa tion. This paper first reports estimates of China's average per capita daily energy, protein and fat availability through yearly food balanc e sheets for the period 1950-91. Then policy impacts on the nutrient c hanges are examined. Results suggest that China's nutritional status h as improved significantly over the period, especially since the 1978 e conomic reforms. Government policy has been a key factor influencing t he nutrient changes since 1950 and will continue to play an important role in China's nutritional improvement.