Chinese consumers concerned about protein intake, says Fonterra
Research conducted by the company revealed Chinese consumers were increasingly willing to up their daily protein intakes.
Christina Zhu, Fonterra China vice president in the Ingredients division, told FoodNavigator-Asia, the research showed Chinese consumers have a higher awareness of certain conditions such as sarcopenia. 57% of mid- to high-income Chinese, aged 40-75 years old were aware of sarcopenia – a muscle wasting malady compared to just 17% in the USA.
The research indicates that these higher levels of awareness translate into action, with more than 90% of Chinese consumers surveyed saying they would consider these conditions when it comes to their diet. This trend can be attributed to increasing levels of education and awareness when it comes to general health and wellbeing.
Zhu added: “Our research indicates that consumers are beginning to take certain conditions into account when it comes to their diet, which shows some acceptance of the idea that we can each influence our own health and wellbeing by taking pro-active measures towards a healthier lifestyle.”
The rise of the Chinese adffluent class is seeing a shift to healthier diets from traditional Chinese diets that are typically heavy on carbohydrates and vegetables.
The researchers forecast that by 2050 more than two billion people globally will be over 60 years of age, with more than 500 million of these residing in China.
Sacopenia
Ageing is associated with a decline in muscle mass and function (sacopenia) andappears to begin relatively early (20-30 years of age), and continues until the end of life (Stein et al, 1999). The process is gradual in the first few decades of adult life (~3% per decade), and the rate of loss increasing in later decades of life (over 7% per decade).
The Fonterra research looked at a total of 4,000 consumers who were healthy and between 40-75 years of age in four international markets: the USA, France, Germany and China.
Recent recommendations highlight a consumption pattern of protein that enables optimal utilisation of dietary protein, and maximal stimulation of muscle protein synthesis, reducing the rate of muscle loss, and improving health outcomes. For a mixed protein meal this equates to 30g grams of protein per meal (Paddon-Jones & Rasmussen, 2009).
