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Changes in diet and physical activity affect the body mass index of Chinese adults

International Journal of Obesity volume 22, pages 424–431 (1998)Cite this article

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To examine the relationship between diet, particularly dietary fat intake, and body mass index (BMI).

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

SUBJECTS: 3484 adults aged 20–45 at baseline (1989) survey.

MEASUREMENTS: 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 (β=0.00036, P=0.0001), and change in physical activity level was inversely associated with change in BMI in women (β=−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.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Nutrition, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, NC, USA

    S Paeratakul, BM Popkin, LS Adair & J Stevens

  2. Chinese Academy of Preventive Medicine, Beijing, China

    G Keyou

Authors
  1. S Paeratakul
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  2. BM Popkin
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  3. G Keyou
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  4. LS Adair
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  5. J Stevens
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Paeratakul, S., Popkin, B., Keyou, G. et al. Changes in diet and physical activity affect the body mass index of Chinese adults. Int J Obes 22, 424–431 (1998). https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.ijo.0800603

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.ijo.0800603

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