The Nutrition and Health in Southwest China (NHSC) study: design, implementation, and major findings

There are few studies of nutritional and genetic factors and their interactions on the risk of noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) among Chinese adults.

Our aim for the Nutrition and Health in Southwest China (NHSC) study is to investigate the impact of diet, lifestyle, genetic background, and their interactions on NCDs among adults in Southwest China.

The NSHC is a prospective cohort study initiated in winter 2013. The baseline data collection was completed in December 2018, and follow-ups are conducted every 2 years. Information on genomics, anthropometry, nutrition, eating behaviors, physical activity, depression and mental disorders, clinical and biochemical examinations, and lifestyles was collected.

7926 adults completed the baseline questionnaire. The average age of participants was 42.6 (9.8) years at study enrollment. More than half were female, 37.2% had achieved more than 12 years of education, and 49.3% of them came from family income >35,000 Yuan. Our analyses of the baseline data suggested that adults with greater dietary energy density appeared to have greater body mass index, fat mass index, fat-free mass index and percentage body fat, and that participants with a higher level of dietary glycemic index, glycemic load, or serum 25(OH)D had a less favorable glucose homeostasis. In addition, spending less time watching television and having a healthy eating pattern may play significant roles in later cellular aging.

In conclusion, the NHSC cohort provides valuable data for investigations of the relevance of gene, nutrition, lifestyles, and their interactions on NCDs among southwestern Chinese adults.