Abstract
Context:
Traditional diets could reduce the increasing prevalence of non-communicable diseases. Currently, there is no consistent definition of the traditional Chinese diet (TCD) in the literature, and its association with health outcomes has not been identified yet.
Objective:
This systematic review aimed to assess the definition of the TCD in the literature, and evaluate whether the TCD, as described, is associated with health outcomes.
Data sources:
Fourteen databases were searched up to 25th April 2022.
Data extraction:
Three reviewers (in pairs) independently screened and extracted data. A modified risk of bias tool was used to assess quality of studies assessing the TCD definition; the Newcastle Ottawa Scale and the Cochrane Risk of Bias tool were used to assess the quality of observational studies and randomised controlled trials assessing associations between the TCD and health outcomes.
Data analysis:
Ninety-nine studies assessed the TCD definition. In at least 75% of the studies, rice and leafy vegetables were consistently reported as food groups that characterise the TCD; the most frequently cited food items were white rice, spinach, bokchoy, and cabbage. Fish and seafood, pork and pork products were consistently reported in studies exclusively referring to the TCD consumed in southern China (n=21 studies), whereas wheat and wheat products were commonly reported in studies focusing on northern China (n=14 studies). Fifteen studies reported on the quantity of food groups that is characteristic of the TCD, but results were inconsistent. Of the 99 studies, 54 assessed associations with health outcomes. The TCD was overall inversely associated with obesity risk and weight gain, while the relationship between the TCD and other health outcomes was inconsistent.
Conclusion:
Further studies are needed to determine the quantities of foods consumed in the TCD and establish a consistent definition of this traditional diet, which is essential for exploring TCD's potential role in preventing non-communicable diseases.
Traditional diets could reduce the increasing prevalence of non-communicable diseases. Currently, there is no consistent definition of the traditional Chinese diet (TCD) in the literature, and its association with health outcomes has not been identified yet.
Objective:
This systematic review aimed to assess the definition of the TCD in the literature, and evaluate whether the TCD, as described, is associated with health outcomes.
Data sources:
Fourteen databases were searched up to 25th April 2022.
Data extraction:
Three reviewers (in pairs) independently screened and extracted data. A modified risk of bias tool was used to assess quality of studies assessing the TCD definition; the Newcastle Ottawa Scale and the Cochrane Risk of Bias tool were used to assess the quality of observational studies and randomised controlled trials assessing associations between the TCD and health outcomes.
Data analysis:
Ninety-nine studies assessed the TCD definition. In at least 75% of the studies, rice and leafy vegetables were consistently reported as food groups that characterise the TCD; the most frequently cited food items were white rice, spinach, bokchoy, and cabbage. Fish and seafood, pork and pork products were consistently reported in studies exclusively referring to the TCD consumed in southern China (n=21 studies), whereas wheat and wheat products were commonly reported in studies focusing on northern China (n=14 studies). Fifteen studies reported on the quantity of food groups that is characteristic of the TCD, but results were inconsistent. Of the 99 studies, 54 assessed associations with health outcomes. The TCD was overall inversely associated with obesity risk and weight gain, while the relationship between the TCD and other health outcomes was inconsistent.
Conclusion:
Further studies are needed to determine the quantities of foods consumed in the TCD and establish a consistent definition of this traditional diet, which is essential for exploring TCD's potential role in preventing non-communicable diseases.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Article number | nuae013 |
| Journal | Nutrition Reviews |
| Early online date | 7 Mar 2024 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | E-pub ahead of print - 7 Mar 2024 |
Structured keywords
- SPS Exercise, Nutrition and Health Sciences
Keywords
- Chinese diet, definition, non-communicable diseases, traditional diets, systematic review
