Dietary patterns and their associations with childhood obesity in China

Abstract

Dietary patterns represent the combined effects of foods, and illustrate efficaciously the impact of diet on health outcomes. Some findings of previous studies have limited applicability to Chinese children due to cultural factors. The presnt study was designed to identify dietary patterns and determine their relationships with obesity among Chinese children and adolescents. Data collected from 1282 children and adolescents aged 7–17 years from the 2011 China Health and Nutrition Survey (CHNS) were used. Dietary patterns were identified using factor analysis of data from three consecutive 24-h dietary recalls. Weight and height were measured following standard methods, and BMI was calculated. Three dietary patterns were identified: modern (high intakes of milk, fast foods and eggs), traditional north (high intakes of wheat, tubers and other cereals) and traditional south (high intakes of vegetables, rice and pork). After adjusting for some confounders and total energy intake, subjects in the highest quartiles of the modern and traditional north patterns were found to have significantly greater risk of obesity (OR 3·10, 95 % CI 1·52, 6·32, and OR 2·42, 95 % CI 1·34, 4·39, respectively). In conclusion, the modern dietary pattern and the traditional north dietary pattern were associated with higher risk of obesity. Promoting healthier eating patterns could help prevent obesity in Chinese children.

Dietary Patterns in Relation to General and Central Obesity among Adults in Southwest China

“…This study also found that vitamin A was negatively associated with the traditional pattern due to the lower intake of animal-source foods. This result is consistent with previous studies that suggested a possible risk of micronutrient deficiency for people following a predominantly traditional dietary pattern [15,33]. The tuber pattern used to be common in rural China but has seldom been reported in recent years [39].…”

“…In this process, traditional dietary habits have changed resulting in an increased incidence of nutritional diseases. Recent studies in China have assessed dietary patterns and obesity among children and adults living in different parts of China, but the results were not consistent [14,15,16]. Although the shift in diet is nationwide, they are occurring at markedly different rates across the country due to economic disparity [17].…”

One-child policy and childhood obesity

“…Han and Wen (2014) document a positive correlation between family income and childhood obesity by using the data from Shanghai. Zhang et al (2015) find correlation between northern dietary patterns and childhood overweight. As an emerging economy with deeprooted Eastern traditions, China exists within its own unique context.…”

Dietary Patterns and Childhood Obesity Risk: A Systematic Review

“…The studies were all cross-sectional studies, with the exception of one case-control study. 70 The studies were conducted in nine different countries and the majority of studies were from Asian countries (Iran, 70 China, 61,65,66,69,71 and Lebanon 64,67 ), with four from American countries (Mexico, 58 Brazil, 60,63 and Colombia 62 ), two from European countries (Norway 57,59 ), one from Australia, 19 and one from Polynesia (Samoan island of Upolu 68 ).…”