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Assessing the Association of Food Preferences and Self-Reported Psychological Well-Being among Middle-Aged and Older Adults in Contemporary China-Results from the China Health and Nutrition Survey

Author

Listed:
  • Yen-Han Lee

    (Department of Applied Health Sciences, School of Public Health, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN 47405, USA)

  • Mack Shelley

    (Department of Political Science, Department of Statistics, Iowa State University, Ames, IA 50011, USA)

  • Ching-Ti Liu

    (Department of Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Boston University, Boston, MA 02118, USA)

  • Yen-Chang Chang

    (Center for General Education, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu City 300, Taiwan)

Abstract

China has undergone rapid social transitions within the last few decades. However, mental health issues, challenges to psychological well-being, and poor dietary choices have gradually surfaced. These health concerns are related to the rapid growth of the aging population and of the fast-paced industrialized society. Nevertheless, there is little knowledge about food preferences and psychological well-being measurements in contemporary China. Applying the 2011 China Health and Nutrition Survey (CHNS) with a cross-sectional study design ( n = 7970), we conducted multinomial logistic regression models to investigate the associations of food preferences, including fast food, salty snacks, fruits, vegetables, and sweetened beverages, with psychological well-being among Chinese middle-aged and older adults (age ≥ 45). Food preferences are mostly associated with psychological well-being ( p < 0.05). However, respondents’ preferences regarding fast food, salty snacks, and sweetened beverages are associated not only with poorer psychological health status, but also with positive psychological well-being. We speculate that Chinese older adults may consume Westernized fast food and salty snacks as pleasure to the palate due to the recent Westernization in modern China. We also provide practical implications of results from this preliminary study.

Suggested Citation

  • Yen-Han Lee & Mack Shelley & Ching-Ti Liu & Yen-Chang Chang, 2018. "Assessing the Association of Food Preferences and Self-Reported Psychological Well-Being among Middle-Aged and Older Adults in Contemporary China-Results from the China Health and Nutrition Survey," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 15(3), pages 1-13, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:15:y:2018:i:3:p:463-:d:135088
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Yen-Han Lee & Zhi Wang & Timothy C. Chiang & Ching-Ti Liu, 2017. "Beverage Intake, Smoking Behavior, and Alcohol Consumption in Contemporary China—A Cross-Sectional Analysis from the 2011 China Health and Nutrition Survey," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 14(5), pages 1-11, May.
    2. Mujcic, R. & Oswald, A.J., 2016. "Evolution of well-being and happiness after increases in consumption of fruit and vegetables," American Journal of Public Health, American Public Health Association, vol. 106(8), pages 1504-1510.
    3. Xudong Zhao & Liang Liu & Chengping Hu & Fazhan Chen & Xirong Sun, 2017. "Necessity and feasibility of improving mental health services in China: A systematic qualitative review," International Journal of Health Planning and Management, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 32(3), pages 363-371, July.
    4. Youfa Wang & Liang Wang & Hong Xue & Weidong Qu, 2016. "A Review of the Growth of the Fast Food Industry in China and Its Potential Impact on Obesity," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 13(11), pages 1-16, November.
    5. Gale, H. Frederick, Jr., 2003. "China's Growing Affluence: How Food Markets are Responding," Amber Waves:The Economics of Food, Farming, Natural Resources, and Rural America, United States Department of Agriculture, Economic Research Service, pages 1-8, June.
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