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The food retail revolution in China and its association with diet and health

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  • Zhou, Yijing
  • Du, Shufa
  • Su, Chang
  • Zhang, Bing
  • Wang, Huijun
  • Popkin, Barry M.

Abstract

The processed food sector in low- and middle-income countries has grown rapidly. Little is understood about its effect on obesity. Using data from 14,976 participants aged two and older in the 2011 China Health and Nutrition Survey, this paper examines patterns of processed food consumption and their impacts on obesity while considering the endogeneity of those who purchase processed foods. A major assumption of our analysis of the impact of processed foods on overweight and obesity was that the consumption of processed foods is endogenous due to their accessibility and urbanicity levels. The results show that 74.5% of participants consumed processed foods, excluding edible oils and other condiments; 28.5% of participants’ total daily energy intake (EI) was from processed foods. Children and teenagers in megacities had the highest proportion of EI (40.2%) from processed foods. People who lived in megacities or highly urbanized neighborhoods with higher incomes and educational achievement consumed more processed foods. When controlling for endogeneity, only the body mass index (BMI) and risk of being overweight of children ages two to eighteen are adversely associated with processed foods (+4.97BMI units, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.66–8.28; odds ratio (OR)=3.63, 95% CI: 1.45–9.13). Processed food purchases represent less than a third of current Chinese food purchases. However, processed food purchases are growing at the rate of 50% per year, and we must begin to understand the implications for the future.

Suggested Citation

  • Zhou, Yijing & Du, Shufa & Su, Chang & Zhang, Bing & Wang, Huijun & Popkin, Barry M., 2015. "The food retail revolution in China and its association with diet and health," Food Policy, Elsevier, vol. 55(C), pages 92-100.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:jfpoli:v:55:y:2015:i:c:p:92-100
    DOI: 10.1016/j.foodpol.2015.07.001
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Guan, Lijun & Zhang, Yan & Jin, Shaosheng & Zhou, Lin, 2021. "Understanding the low use rate of food nutrition information in China," International Food and Agribusiness Management Review, International Food and Agribusiness Management Association, vol. 24(5), April.
    2. Thi Huong Trinh & Dharani Dhar Burra & Michel Simioni & Stef de Haan & Tuyen Thi Thanh Huynh & Tung Van Huynh & Andrew D. Jones, 2019. "Supermarkets and their impacts on the relationship between food acquisition patterns and socio-economic and demographic characteristics of households: empirical evidence from Vietnam," Post-Print hal-02790424, HAL.
    3. Valeria Borsellino & Emanuele Schimmenti & Hamid El Bilali, 2020. "Agri-Food Markets towards Sustainable Patterns," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(6), pages 1-35, March.
    4. Minten, Bart & Assefa, Thomas Woldu & Abebe, Girum & Engida, Ermias & Tamru, Seneshaw, 2016. "Food processing, transformation, and job creation: The case of Ethiopia’s enjera markets," ESSP working papers 96, International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI).
    5. Tschirley, David & Reardon, Thomas, 2016. "Impact on Employment and Migration of Structural and Rural Transformation," Food Security International Development Working Papers 245895, Michigan State University, Department of Agricultural, Food, and Resource Economics.
    6. Tarek Ben Hassen & Hamid El Bilali & Mohammed Al-Maadeed, 2020. "Agri-Food Markets in Qatar: Drivers, Trends, and Policy Responses," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(9), pages 1-31, May.
    7. Montserrat Costa-Font & Cesar Revoredo-Giha, 2019. "Introduction of New Food Products in China: Is There a Trend towards Healthier and Safer Products?," Social Sciences, MDPI, vol. 8(2), pages 1-23, February.

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