Is there a typical Chinese diet and what are the health implications?

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
The results of a dietary survey performed on adults in the Hong Kong Chinese population in 1995 is examined in the light of published surveys for the Chinese populations in another region of Southern China, in Australia, and in an earlier Hong Kong Chinese population in 1987. The comparisons were made to document the extent of variability in the diets of the Chinese population and the implications for health. Among the Hong Kong Chinese population, there is an increase in the percentage energy from protein for men and women, and increase in percentage energy from fat and decreases in the percentage energy from carbohydrates for women between 1987 to 1995. Marked variations in dietary patterns exist in different geographical regions, probably as a result of differences in income, educational level, as well as cultural differences. Although the Chinese diet is considered to be beneficial in relation to coronary heart disease, the relatively high sodium and low calcium intake may predispose to other diseases such as stroke or osteoporosis.