Rural/urban nutrition-related differentials among adult population groups in South Africa, with special emphasis on the black population

In South Africa the adult population includes blacks, ranging from those li ving near-traditional lifestyles to urban sophisticates, immigrant Indians, coloureds (of European, black, Malay, Khoi and San descent), and whites. S hifts in dietary intake to a less prudent pattern are occurring with appare nt increasing momentum, particularly among blacks, who constitute by far th e bulk of the population. Macronutrient dietary intake profiles among adult s range from prudent among blacks, to Western in other groups. However, dat a have shown that among urban blacks fat intakes have increased by 63%, whi le carbohydrate intakes have fallen by 14% in the past 50 years. Shifts tow ards the Western diet are apparent among rural African dwellers as well. Ot her risk factor profiles for chronic diseases, such as heart disease, refle ct differences among cultural groups. Rural/urban differentials of risk fac tors among blacks continue to deserve attention from policymakers and healt h education professionals. Superimposed on the increasing onset of chronic diseases of lifestyle among South African adults is the HIV/AIDS epidemic, which is rapidly gaining momentum and could become the most common cause of morbidity and mortality.