Longitudinal changes in nutrient intakes in the Melbourne Chinese Cohort Study

Abstract

Objective: To assess longitudinal changes in the consumption of nutrients and the impact of socio-economic factors on diet transition in the Melbourne Chinese Health Study (MCHS) cohort. Design: Longitudinal study including two phases: baseline (1989/90) and follow-up (1995/97). Settings: Melbourne metropolitan areas in Victoria, Australia. Study subjects and method: Two hundred and sixty-two Chinese men and women aged 25 years and over, recruited at baseline, who had completed the both baseline and follow-up food-frequency questionnaires. Results: Women increased their daily intakes of energy (+549 kJ), protein (+7.8 g), fat (+7.3 g) and dietary fibre (+5.6 g) whereas men decreased their daily consumption of carbohydrate (238.5 g) over an average period of 8 years. Energy contributions from protein and fat rose while that from carbohydrate dropped for all cohort subjects. Increased intakes of riboflavin, b-carotene and iron were observed in men, while an increased consumption of thiamine, riboflavin, niacin and minerals (except sodium) was observed in women. Socio-economic factors such as education, family income levels and occupational categories appeared to have a far more powerful influence on changes in individual daily nutrient intakes than age or length of stay in Australia. Changes in nutrient intake in women were less affected by sociodemographic variables. Conclusion: The observed changes in nutrient intakes indicated a progressive approach towards the Australian Recommended Dietary Intakes within this Chinese cohort population.

The association between nutrient intake, nutritional status and physical function of community-dwelling ethnically diverse older adults: A longitudinal study

“…This study used a 7-day weighed food dairy and found no significant difference in energy intake. However, the findings contrast sharply with the Melbourne Chinese Cohort Study, composed of 262 Chinese adults with a mean age >50 years [42]. The authors found that intakes of energy, fats, fibre and protein increased significantly over eight years among women, but not men.…”

The association between nutrient intake, nutritional status and physical function of community-dwelling ethnically diverse older adults

“…This study used a 7-day weighed food dairy and found no signi cant difference in energy intake. However, the ndings contrast sharply with the Melbourne Chinese Cohort Study, composed of 262 Chinese adults with a mean age >50 years [42]. The authors found that intakes of energy, fats, bre and protein increased signi cantly over eight years among women, but not men.…”

Exploring abnormal glucose metabolism in pregnancy among Australian Chinese migrants

“…Migrants from non-English-speaking backgrounds (ie, Mediterranean, South Asian, South-East Asian, African or South Pacific Island) are more likely to develop diabetes or coronary heart disease 17 22 23 34. Unhealthy dietary habits coupled with reduced physical activity and a degree of isolation in social circles have greater negative consequences for female migrants, who are doubly marginalized as being a woman and a foreigner 16 18 24. These findings may explain our observations of a higher prevalence of GDM among the Australian Chinese migrants than the native Chinese, even after adjusting for age, BMI at booking and GA at booking.…”

“…The past few decades have shown a growth in research focusing on Chinese migrants’ health and acculturation in Western world, driven by the increasing number of Chinese migrants globally 8 10–12. Studies in Australia and other Western countries have shown that trends in lifestyle changed among Asians after migration, including increased consumption of take-away foods, decreased intake of fruits and vegetables, elevated degree of social strain and higher intake of red meats and dairy products 16 17 19 33 34. For example, in a review on Chinese migrants in Australia, researchers found substantial alteration or substitution of food items in their diet such as increased usage of fatty meat or cooking oil and soda consumption, instead of green leafy vegetable cooking and Chinese tea drinking.…”

“…Typically, migrants undergo a gradual and continuous process of assimilating into local lifestyles and behaviors (ie, dietary habits, social relations, level of stress, children’s preferences) of the country or region of residence 13 14. This shift in dietary habits (ie, increased consumption of fats/sweets, dairy products, convenience food and a reduction in fruits and vegetables)15 is believed to lead to adverse health outcomes 9 15–19. Asian migrants living in Europe and North America have a greater body mass index (BMI)20 and higher rates of chronic disease including hypertension, T2D, metabolic syndrome, psychological condition or psychiatric disease, cardiovascular disease and even cancer 19 21–23.…”