Dietary habits, physical activity and body size among Chinese in North America and China

We examined the self-reported dietary nutrient intakes, physical activity patterns and body mass index (BMI) of 2488 healthy Chinese men and women residing in North America (and Canada) and in the People's Republic of China. On average, Chinese in China consumed more total energy (males 3024 kcal in China, vs 2122 kcal in North America; females 2351 kcal in China. vs 1745 kcal in North America) and carbohydrate but less fat (males 74.s g in China vs 82.0 g in North America, females 56.0 g in China vs 68.8 g in North America), protein, vitamin A, b -carotene and vitamin C than did Chinese in North America. Dietary fat provided 35% of total dietary energy for Chinese in North America and 22% for Chinese in China. Consumption of alcohol, particularly wine and hard liquor, was higher among Chinese in China than Chinese in North America. Chinese in China reported more kilocalories of energy expenditure per day, especially in vigorous activity and walking, than Chinese in North America. Chinese in China weighed less and were leaner than North American Chinese. These differences in nutrient intakes, physical activity and body size of Chinese living in two different continents suggest possible explanations for observed differences in chronic disease rates in the two populations.