HONG KONG – Chinese researchers have recommended region-specific diets to combat rising obesity and related lifestyle diseases while also conserving environmental resources. As obesity rates continue to climb in China, with over half of the adult population considered overweight or obese, the study emphasizes tailored dietary guidelines for different regions of the country.
A team from the School of Public Health at Sun Yat-sen University in Guangdong developed the recommendations based on the “Planetary Health Diet,” advocating lower dairy and red meat consumption. Published in Nature Food in August, the study received recent coverage in state media.
The guidelines suggest northern China, with its high dairy intake, should incorporate more fruits and whole grains. For the water-scarce southwest, the researchers recommend a diet focusing on legumes and vegetables over red meat. In the agriculturally rich eastern regions, a diet higher in whole grains, seafood, and vegetables is advised.
These dietary adjustments aim to address obesity and cardio-metabolic diseases while reducing premature mortality and environmental impact. Dr. Liu Yan, one of the study’s authors, noted the guidelines are designed to fulfill nutritional needs while lowering health risks.
The study’s findings could serve as a model for other developing nations, including India and Kenya, according to Dr. Brent Loken of the World Wildlife Fund. “These dietary shifts can promote both health and environmental sustainability,” he said, pointing to potential global applications of the approach.