Associations Between Micronutrient Sufficiency, Subjective Well-Being, and Mortality Among Community-Dwelling Chinese Adults

Micronutrient sufficiency is essential for health, yet many Chinese adults fall short of recommended intake levels. Using data from 12 382 adults in the China Health and Nutrition Survey, this study examined the prevalence of micronutrient sufficiency—defined by 2023 Dietary Reference Intakes for six vitamins and seven minerals—and its associations with subjective well-being (SWB), health care costs, and mortality. Only 10% of adults met sufficiency criteria. Sufficient intake was associated with higher odds of life satisfaction (OR = 1.12, 95% CI [1.02, 1.24], P < .05), with stronger effects in women (OR = 1.16, 95% CI [1.02, 1.32]) and those aged 40 to 49 (OR = 1.44, 95% CI [1.15, 1.79]). No significant association was found with mortality (HR = 1.02, 95% CI [0.75, 1.38]). However, sufficiency was linked to a 7% annual reduction in health care costs (−140.4 Yuan), largely mediated by improved SWB. These results highlight the low prevalence of adequate micronutrient intake and suggest potential benefits for mental well-being and health care savings, supporting the need for targeted nutrition policies in China.