Changes in the lifestyle of Mongolian pastoralists in China in connection with urbanization

The objective of this study was to elucidate changes in the health-related lifestyle of Mongolian pastoralists in China in connection with their urbanization. A total of 592 people participated in a survey that included a medical examination and an interview questionnaire. Files of 72 pastoral Mongolians, 78 urban Mongolians, 380 urban Han/Man and 21 urban Hui were used for this analysis. Urban Mongolians consumed meat and milk products less frequently than did pastoral populations (p < 0.001), and consumed fish and vegetables more frequently than did pastoral populations (p < 0.001). Urban Mongolian consumed mutton, beef, rengyo fish, milk, milk tea, curd, butter, yogurt, and sheep milk less frequently (p < 0.05) and pork, sword fish, and dried milk more frequently (p < 0.05) than pastoral Mongolian. Male pastoral Mongolians were more likely to drink and smoke than were urban Mongolians (p < 0.01), urban Han/Man (p < 0.01), or urban Hui (p < 0.01). The lifestyles of pastoral Mongolians in Inner Mongolia, China have changed in connection with urbanization. Understanding of the traditional pastoral lifestyle and the urban-living acculturation process will contribute to maximizing the positive impacts of urbanization on people's health in Inner Mongolia.