Experts from the Chinese Nutrition Society (CNS) are now deliberating China's first national regulation on nutrition, according to Zhai Fengying, Secretary-General of the CNS.

Zhai said that Beijingers' consumption of edible oil is the highest in the country, due mainly to the fact that they use far too much oil in their cooking. In addition, compared with other big cities, Beijing has a very high incidence of obesity.

Experts from the CNS believe that chronic diseases such as hyperpiesia, diabetes and obesity are closely linked to poor diet and nutrition. Statistics from the Ministry of the Health (MOH) showed that by the end of 2002, 18.8 percent of Chinese over the age of 18, approximately 160 million people, suffered from hyperpiesia, representing an increase of 70 million people from 1991.

Zhai also disclosed that China has less than 2,000 nutritionists or nutrition experts. Furthermore, the country's one million athletes share the services of only six professional nutritionists. In the late 1980s, China began a training program in nutrition, but many of the program's graduates remain unemployed due to the lack of relevant positions in many parts of the country.

According to Zhai, experts from all over the country, divided into ten groups, are discussing the regulation. The draft regulation is expected to be completed in March and will be handed over to the MOH and the State Council for final approval.

Experts say that the regulation will help to tackle the most urgent and common nutrition issues that affect the Chinese diet. Some of these measures include investigation and monitoring, the proper labeling of foods -- giving clear indications of composition -- and nutrition advice for special groups such as infants and women.

Zhai said: "Once the regulation is passed, professional nutritionists will be seconded to all kindergartens and schools. And the regulation will also suggest that residential communities engage their own nutritionists to give regular lectures on nutrition."

Legislation regulating nutrition is not a new concept. In Japan, the Nutritionist Law was passed in 1947, the Nutrition Improvement Law in 1952, and the School Lunch Law in 1954. These laws have been modified over the years in line with social and economic developments. As a result, the general state of nutrition among the Japanese has improved as evidenced by an increase in the average height and intelligence quotient or I.Q. The United States and several European countries, too, have relevant laws and regulations in place.

(China.org.cn by Wang Qian, February 13, 2005)