Chinese Food Habit Perspectives

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to assess changes in food behaviors of a Chinese population by investigating a group of 32 mature students before and after they came to study in the United States. Using a modified version of the National Cancer Institute's Health Habits and History Questionnaire, data was collected to measure food acculturation, food behaviors, and frequency of consumption for more than one hundred foods. Results show considerable dietary change. Food intake decreased significantly in the “Bread and cereal” food group and in the “Vegetable” food group in the United States compared to intake in China. In contrast, foods in the “Fruit,” “Meat,” and “Dairy products” food groups increased significantly in the United States compared to in China. Intake of many individual items increased significantly including snacks and sweets, ice-cream, whole milk, non-dairy creamers, orange juice, white bread, and soda. The most significant decrease was in the consumption of rice. Other food behaviors changed including respondents gaining weight and their shopping shifting from Chinese/Oriental markets to American/Westernized markets the longer they were in the United States. Professionals would be wise to monitor these changes because the consequences of dietary change affect health and well-being.