Changes in diet and physical activity affect the body mass index of Chinese adults.
OBJECTIVE
To examine the relationship between diet, particularly dietary fat intake, and body mass index (BMI).


METHODS
Prospective study of adults who participated in the 1989 and 1991 China Health and Nutrition Survey.


METHODS
3484 adults aged 20-45 at baseline (1989) survey.


METHODS
Measurement of dietary intake with replicated 24 h dietary recalls. Anthropometric measurements. Measurements of physical activity, smoking habit and socio-economic factors.


RESULTS
Change in fat intake was positively associated with change in BMI in men (beta=0.00036, P=0.0001), and change in physical activity level was inversely associated with change in BMI in women (beta=-0.12, P=0.02). Energy intake, physical activity and major socio-economic factors were related to BMI in cross-sectional analysis.


CONCLUSIONS
Diet is becoming an increasingly important determinant of body weight in this population, where fat and energy consumption has been increasing steadily during the past decade.
Paeratakul
S
S
Department of Nutrition, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, 27516-3997, USA.
Popkin
B M
BM
Keyou
G
G
Adair
L S
LS
Stevens
J
J
D000328:Adult; D015992:Body Mass Index; D002681:China; D004032:Diet; D015930:Diet Records; D004041:Dietary Fats / Q000008:administration & dosage; D004044:Dietary Proteins; D004522:Educational Status; D002149:Energy Intake; D015444:Exercise; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012424:Rural Population; D012727:Sex Characteristics; D012907:Smoking; D012923:Social Class; D014505:Urban Population
D004041:Dietary Fats; D004044:Dietary Proteins