Differences in Awareness of Chinese Dietary Guidelines Among Urban and Rural Residents: A Cross-Sectional Survey in Southwest China

Abstract

Objectives: This study aimed to compare the awareness of Chinese dietary guidelines (CDGs, 2016) between rural and urban areas in Southwest China and identify the factors that affect CDGs (2016) awareness.Methods: This cross-sectional survey included 8,320 individuals aged 18–75 years from Chongqing, Sichuan, Guizhou, and Yunnan, China. Convenience sampling method was adopted to select the survey subjects and face-to-face surveys in each region were conducted to collect data. Descriptive statistics and generalized linear model were used to evaluate differences in awareness of CDGs among urban and rural residents and its influencing factors.Results: Overall CDGs awareness was low in urban and rural areas, although the awareness rate was higher in the former than in the latter (29.1% vs. 19.9%, respectively). Region, education level, Body Mass Index (BMI), gender, income, and age are the influencing factors of CDGs awareness. Urban participants were likely to acquire relevant knowledge from social media, books/magazines, family/friends, and experts. However, rural participants were likely to acquire relevant knowledge from food sales staff (p < 0.05).Conclusion: Rural residents are less aware of CDGs than their urban counterparts in Southwest China. Future dietary education should adopt different strategies for different populations, with considerable focus on rural residents.

Does social proof and herd behaviour drive food choices of consumers?

“…For example, health-conscious individuals may have prioritised the health benefits of the low-salt alternative, even if other options are more popular. Thus, it corroborates earlier studies that Chinese consumers, particularly those in urban areas are becoming increasingly aware of the benefits of healthier eating and are now placing importance on healthy diets (Cong et al ., 2020; Jiang et al. , 2023).…”

“…Specifically, the findings from this paper would inform strategies for promoting healthy eating habits at a population level and inform the design of effective interventions on public health strategy for healthy food. Considering the number of Chinese consumers, particularly those in urban areas that are aware of the benefits of healthier eating and place importance on health are gradually increasing (see Cong et al, 2020;Jiang et al, 2023), the paper would provide insights into avenues to influence consumption of healthy foods. Further, the empirical evidence from the paper could assist food manufacturers and businesses in harnessing social influences to develop effective marketing and pricing strategies to promote healthier and more sustainable food choices.…”

Understanding the Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices of Healthy Eating among Adolescents in Chongqing, China: An Empirical Study Utilizing Structural Equation Modeling

“…The questionnaire used in this study was developed on the basis of KAP theory, mainly referring to the Chinese Dietary Guidelines for School-age Children (2016) [ 35 ]; the nutrition literacy scale for middle school students in Chongqing, China [ 36 ]; the questionnaire of dietary knowledge, attitudes, and practices of residents in Southwest China [ 37 ]; and other available data, combined with information on the main problems related to the dietary behavior of middle school students in Chongqing. The questionnaire demonstrated a satisfactory level of reliability and validity, as indicated by an overall Cronbach’s α coefficient of 0.734 and a Kaiser–Meyer–Olkin Measure (KMO) result of 0.770, p < 0.01.…”

Natural Products with Potential Effects on Hemorrhoids: A Review

“…The prevalence of hemorrhoids worldwide varies from 4% to 55% [ 1 ]. An epidemiological survey of common anorectal diseases among urban residents in China revealed that 51.14% of adults suffered from anorectal diseases, with hemorrhoids accounting for 50.28% of these cases [ 2 ]. The complications arising from hemorrhoids often cause significant distress to patients, severely impacting their quality of life.…”