Temporal trends in food preferences and their association with overweight/obesity among children in China

Abstract

ObjectOver the past 10 years there have been profound changes in food preferences in China. The objective of this study was to identify the temporal trends in food preferences among Chinese school-age children as well as the association between food preferences and overweight/obesity. MethodsData from the China Health and Nutrition Survey performed from 2006 to 2015 were used to identify the trends in food preferences. Longitudinal analysis was used to investigate the association between food preferences and overweight/obesity. ResultsThe food preferences for fruit and vegetables decreased from 2006 to 2015, while the food preference for fast food increased. The preferences for fruit and vegetables decreased in both boys and girls, while the preferences for fast food and salty snacks increased the most in boys. The preferences for salty snacks, fruit, and vegetables decreased among urban children, whereas in rural children the preference for vegetables decreased while those for fast food and sweetened beverages increased. Our longitudinal analyses did not reveal a significant association between food preferences and overweight/obesity. ConclusionsFood preferences have changed over the past decade in Chinese school-age children, and these changes have varied across gender and urbanization. However, no significant association was found between food preferences and overweight/obesity.