Search Results (38)

Background: Lifestyle modifications are pivotal to preventing the progression of prediabetes and associated cardiometabolic diseases. Recent evidence from cross-sectional analysis of community-dwelling Chinese adults suggests that regular consumption of tea, particularly dark tea, is associated with a reduced risk of both prediabetes and type 2 diabetes. However, the effects of tea consumption on prediabetes progression and regression remain uncertain. This study investigated the associations of tea consumption with prediabetes progression and regression in Chinese adults with prediabetes. Methods: A cohort of 2662 Chinese adults with prediabetes was followed over ~3 years. Baseline tea consumption, including the type (green, black, dark, or other) and frequency (daily, sometimes, or nil), was assessed using standardized questionnaires. Prediabetes was defined according to the American Diabetes Association criteria. Multinomial logistic and linear regression analyses with multivariable adjustment was performed to evaluate associations. Results: Compared to non-tea drinkers, dark tea consumers were less likely to progress to type 2 diabetes (odds ratio [OR]: 0.28, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.11, 0.72, p = 0.01), whereas green tea consumption was associated with a reduced probability of regressing to normoglycemia (OR: 0.73, 95 CI%: 0.59, 0.90, p = 0.01). Conclusions: These findings support further exploration of dark tea consumption as a strategy to reduce prediabetes progression, and suggest that effects of green tea consumption should also be examined more closely in this population. Full article

(1) Background: In recent years, meat alternatives, including plant-based and animal cell-cultured meat, have attracted substantial interest among Chinese food science researchers and consumers, prompting considerable debate; (2) Methods: This study utilizes qualitative research methods, specifically focus group interviews with 59 participants across five administrative regions and seven cities in China, to explore consumer knowledge, perceptions, and potential acceptance of meat substitutes; (3) Results: The findings reveal that Chinese consumers generally exhibit a low level of understanding of new meat substitutes, particularly animal cell-cultured meat. Although participants acknowledge the potential environmental, resource-saving, and animal welfare benefits associated with meat substitutes, they also express concerns about perceived risks, such as artificial taste, high costs, market monopolization, diminished consumer welfare, and adverse impacts on traditional animal husbandry and employment. Despite a willingness to try meat substitutes, the regular purchase and consumption of these remain limited. The acceptance of meat substitutes is influenced by factors including personal characteristics, price, safety, and the authenticity of taste; (4) Conclusions: The study concludes that legislative support, technological advancements in production and regulation, price reductions, and the establishment of a robust traceability system may enhance consumer confidence and acceptance of meat substitutes in China. Full article

Background/Objectives: As a widely consumed, nutritious, and affordable food, eggs and their derivatives’ impacts on obesity remain inconclusive. In this study, we aimed to determine the association between egg and egg-derived cholesterol consumption, and their change trajectories, with obesity among Chinese adults. Methods: Longitudinal data collected by the China Health and Nutrition Survey from 1997 to 2015 were analyzed. The latent growth mixture model was used to identify eggs and egg-derived cholesterol consumption trajectories. Cox proportional hazard models with shared frailty were used to analyze the association between egg and egg-derived cholesterol consumption, and their change trajectories, with obesity. Results: Data from 10,971 and 9483 participants aged ≥18 years old were used for the analyses of general obesity and central obesity, respectively. Compared to participants with an average egg intake of 0.1–50.0 g/d during the follow-up period, adults who never consumed eggs or those with an average egg intake of 50.1–100.0 g/d and >100.0 g/d had a higher risk of general obesity, with hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) of 1.31 (1.08, 1.58), 1.30 (1.07, 1.60), and 1.98 (1.17, 3.35), respectively, and had a higher risk of central obesity, with HRs (95% CIs) of 1.17 (1.04, 1.31), 1.31 (1.14, 1.50), and 1.64 (1.15, 2.36), respectively. Participants with a “Baseline Low-Significant Rising Pattern” or a “Baseline High-Rising then Falling Pattern” of egg consumption trajectories during the follow-up period had a higher risk of general obesity, with HRs (95% CIs) of 1.56 (1.25, 1.93) and 1.38 (1.13, 1.69), respectively, and central obesity, with HRs (95% CIs) of 1.47 (1.29, 1.68) and 1.52 (1.34, 1.72), respectively. Compared to the second quartile (Q₂) group of the average egg-derived cholesterol intake during the follow-up period, Q₁, Q₃, and Q₄ groups had a higher risk of general obesity, with HRs (95% CIs) of 1.28 (1.06,1.54), 1.21 (1.02, 1.44), and 1.43 (1.19, 1.71), respectively, and a higher risk of central obesity, with HRs (95% CIs) of 1.20 (1.08, 1.33), 1.11 (1.01, 1.23), and 1.32 (1.19, 1.46), respectively. Participants with a “Baseline Low-Significant Rising Pattern” or with a “Baseline High-Rising then Falling Pattern” of egg-derived cholesterol consumption during the follow-up period had a higher risk of general obesity, with HRs (95% CIs) of 1.54 (1.25, 1.92) and 1.37 (1.15, 1.64), respectively, and a higher risk of central obesity, with HRs (95% CIs) of 1.46 (1.28, 1.68) and 1.47 (1.32, 1.64), respectively. Conclusions: Both the insufficient and excessive intake of eggs and egg-derived cholesterol tended to be associated with a higher risk of general and central obesity. Suddenly increasing or consistently high levels of egg and egg-derived cholesterol intake seemed to be associated with a higher risk of obesity. To prevent obesity, people should consume a moderate amount of eggs and egg-derived cholesterol. Full article

Background: This cross-sectional study aimed to examine the association between dietary diversity and risk of subjective cognitive decline (SCD), a precursor of dementia, in middle-aged and elderly Chinese populations residing in eastern China. Methods: Participants aged ≥ 45 years were recruited from a community in an eastern Chinese city after excluding potential objective cognitive impairment using the Mini-Cognitive Assessment Instrument (Mini-Cog). SCD was assessed using the Subjective Cognitive Decline Questionnaire-9 (SCD-Q9). Dietary data were collected using the Dietary Quality Questionnaire (DQQ), and the Food Group Diversity Score (FGDS) and the Consumed All Five Recommended Food Score (All-5) were calculated as indicators of dietary diversity. Odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were computed to evaluate the associations of FGDS and All-5 scores with SCD after adjusting for age, sex, socioeconomic status, lifestyle factors, and health status. Results: Among the 871 participants, 358 (41.1%) were classified as having SCD. Compared with participants with the highest FGDS (≥8) and those with the highest All-5 score (5), those with the lowest FGDS (≤4) and the lowest All-5 score (≤3) exhibited 85% (OR = 1.85; 95% CI: 1.10–3.13; p = 0.02) and 90% (OR = 1.90; 95% CI: 1.21–2.97; p < 0.01) higher risk of SCD, respectively, after adjusting for all covariates. Fruits were the only food group among the All-5 components that demonstrated a significant association with SCD risk. Conclusions: Poor dietary diversity was associated with an elevated risk of SCD in middle-aged and older adults, and fruits were the food group with the most substantial effect. Full article

This study aims to introduce a novel approach for predicting China’s consumer confidence index (CCI), a key economic indicator that reflects consumers’ confidence in current and future economic conditions. While traditional statistical models and economic indicators are the primary tools for forecasting CCI, their reliance on linear assumptions limits their ability to capture the complex, dynamic relationships inherent in economic systems. In response, this study proposes a two-step method that integrates social network analysis (SNA) and machine learning (ML) to enhance prediction accuracy by accounting for the nonlinear interactions and systemic interdependencies that drive consumer confidence. The use of SNA enables the identification of critical variables and their interconnected roles in shaping consumer sentiment, while ML models, specifically the gradient boosting decision tree (GBDT), leverage these relationships to provide more precise predictions. Utilizing monthly data from 1999 to 2023, the combined SNA and GBDT approach significantly improves the accuracy of CCI forecasts, particularly during periods of high volatility. The results of this study hold substantial value for policymakers, market analysts, and economists, as they offer a systems-oriented framework for economic forecasting. By demonstrating the effectiveness of combining SNA with ML technologies, this research not only advances the methodological toolkit for economic forecasting, but also provides a new lens through which the complex, adaptive nature of economic systems can be better understood and managed. This integrated approach paves the way for future developments in forecasting models that more accurately reflect the evolving dynamics of consumer confidence in a rapidly changing economic environment. Full article

Background/Objectives: There has been limited evidence on the long-term impacts of coffee intake on health. We aimed to investigate the association between coffee intake and the incidence of diseases and mortality risk over 20 years among community-dwelling Chinese adults. Methods: Participants were from the Hong Kong Osteoporosis Study who attended baseline assessments during 1995–2010. Coffee intake was self-reported through a food frequency questionnaire and was previously validated. Disease diagnoses, which were mapped into 1795 distinct phecodes, and mortality data were obtained from linkage with territory-wide electronic health records. Cox models were used to estimate the association between coffee intake and the incidence of each disease outcome and mortality among individuals without a history of the respective medical condition at baseline. All models were adjusted for age, sex, body mass index, smoking, alcohol drinking, and education. Results: Among the 7420 included participants (mean age 53.2 years, 72.2% women), 54.0% were non-coffee drinkers, and only 2.7% consumed more than one cup of coffee per day. Over a median follow-up of 20.0 years, any coffee intake was associated with a reduced risk of dementia, atrial fibrillation, painful respirations, infections, atopic dermatitis, and dizziness at a false discovery rate (FDR) of <0.05. Furthermore, any coffee intake was associated with an 18% reduced risk of all-cause mortality (95% confidence interval = 0.73–0.93). Conclusion: In a population with relatively low coffee consumption, any coffee intake is linked to a lower risk of several neurological, circulatory, and respiratory diseases and symptoms, as well as mortality. Full article

Video blogging channels for social media technology continue to innovate and evolve, and brands are beginning to rely on social media channels for product marketing. The factors influencing consumers’ purchase intention for products advertised by video bloggers are numerous and unclear. The main purpose of this study is to explore the mechanism by which the characteristics of video bloggers influence the formation of emotional cognition and then influences consumers’ purchase intention. Based on the SOR model, 518 questionnaires were administered to Chinese video blogging users. The AMOS 24.0 and SPSSAU 24.0 web tools were used to analyze the study data. Empirical results indicate that consumers’ perceived homogeneity, expertise, degree of emotional attachment to video bloggers, and perceived source confidence have a direct or indirect positive influence on purchase intentions. Evident advertising intention weakens the relationship between emotional attachment and purchase intention. This result is strategically important for a brand’s advertising efforts and market share and provides new research insights and frameworks for studying consumers’ advertised product purchase behaviors in the context of video blogging channels for social media. Full article

The 2008 melamine crisis led to widespread consumer distrust of Chinese domestic infant milk formula (IMF), which was substituted through a surge of imported products. Recent studies, however, suggest a revival in consumer confidence in Chinese domestic products and regulatory supervision. This coincides with a rise in consumer ethnocentrism and increased concern about foreign IMF, which arose during the COVID-19 pandemic. This study aims to investigate the multifaceted factors that influence consumers’ intention to purchase domestic IMF, using a structural equation model based on a survey of 563 online consumers. Our findings challenge conventional thinking that food safety governance, consumer ethnocentrism, and COVID-19 have no significant direct impact on IMF purchase decisions. Instead, consumer purchase intentions are driven more indirectly by mediating factors of perceived product quality and perceived behavioural control. The findings have significant implications for Chinese policymakers and industry stakeholders seeking to rebuild trust and strengthen the market position of domestic IMF in the post-melamine and post-pandemic era. By understanding the nuanced dynamics and consumer preferences in this market, international stakeholders can also develop more effective strategies to navigate and compete in the ever-evolving landscape of the Chinese IMF industry. Full article

Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) supplementation appears to be associated with a lower blood pressure. Nevertheless, it remains unclear whether food-sourced CoQ10 will affect new-onset hypertension in general adults. This study investigated the relationship between dietary CoQ10 intake and new-onset hypertension among the general population. Participants without hypertension at baseline from the China Health and Nutrition Survey (CHNS) prospective cohort study were included (n = 11,428). Dietary CoQ10 intake was collected by validated dietary recalls and the food weighing method. Linear and non-linear relationships between dietary CoQ10 intake and new-onset hypertension were analyzed using multivariable Cox proportional hazards models and restricted cubic splines. During follow-up (median: 6 years), 4006 new-onset hypertension cases were documented. Compared with non-consumers, the hazard ratio (HR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) from quintile 2 to 4 total dietary CoQ10 were 0.83 (0.76, 0.91), 0.86 (0.78, 0.94) and 1.01 (0.92, 1.11); total plant-derived CoQ10 were 0.80 (0.73, 0.88), 1.00 (0.91, 1.09) and 1.10 (1.00, 1.20); and animal-derived CoQ10 were 0.65 (0.59, 0.71), 0.58 (0.53, 0.64) and 0.68 (0.62, 0.75). The lowest risk was found at moderate intake, with a non-linear relationship (P nonlinearity < 0.05). Furthermore, the overall inverse association was stronger among individuals without alcohol consumption or eating a low-fat diet. Moderate long-term dietary CoQ10 intake might be protective against new-onset hypertension. However, it follows a non-linear relationship and excessive intake may increase the risk of new-onset hypertension in the Chinese population. Full article

Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) disclosures are pivotal in steering listed companies toward a balanced trajectory of economic efficiency and environmental/social accountability. Disclosure of ESG information can enhance consumer confidence, create shareholder value, and promote sustainable corporate development. Based on the ESG information disclosure data of Chinese listed companies, this study investigates and empirically analyzes the frequency, content, and quality of ESG information disclosure by Chinese listed companies using a mixed-methodological research approach combining qualitative and quantitative approaches. The findings indicate a low and unreliable frequency of ESG disclosure among Chinese listed companies, with a predominant focus on descriptive content primarily in the “E” and “G” dimensions, while neglecting information disclosure in the “S” dimension. The results of subgroup analyses show that industry classification and the regional economic development level do not increase the disclosure rate. Although the nature of ownership, industry classification, and the level of regional economic development can contribute to improving the overall quality of disclosure, there are differences in the “E”, “S”, and “G” dimensions. In addition, mandatory disclosure requirements can improve disclosure quality, but some differences in the “G” dimension are not significant. The findings provide empirical support for improving the ESG disclosure performance of Chinese listed companies to achieve the “dual-carbon” goal. Full article

Previous studies have investigated the association between diet and cognitive impairment, yet there is limited investigation into the link between edible mushrooms and algae intake and cognitive decline. This study aims to explore the association between edible mushrooms and algae intake and the risk of cognitive impairment in individuals aged 65 years and above in China. Cross-sectional data from the 2018 Chinese Longitudinal Healthy Longevity Survey (CLHLS) formed the basis of this study. Edible mushrooms and algae intake was evaluated using a simplified food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) and cognitive function was assessed using the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE). A binary logistic regression model was used to evaluate odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs), with subgroup analysis conducted. Among 14,150 older adults, the average age was (85.33 ± 11.55), with a cognitive impairment prevalence of 22.7; multi-model adjustments showed a 25.3% lower probability of cognitive impairment for those occasionally consuming edible mushrooms and algae (OR: 0.747, 95% CI: 0.675~0.826). Furthermore, a 29% lower risk was observed in those with daily intake (OR: 0.710, 95% CI: 0.511~0.987). Subgroup analysis demonstrated significant risk reduction in women (OR: 0.589, 95% CI: 0.375~0.925, p = 0.022), individuals with disability in activities of daily living (OR: 0.568, 95% CI: 0.367~0.878, p = 0.011), and those with low social activity levels (OR: 0.671, 95% CI: 0.473~0.950, p = 0.025). This study concludes that edible mushrooms and algae intake significantly impacts the risk of cognitive impairment in older adults. These results provide insights and impetus for further research into this area. Additional cohort studies or intervention trials are necessary to confirm the potential benefits of edible mushrooms and algae in promoting cognitive health. Full article

Many countries have adopted carbon regulatory policies in pursuit of carbon neutrality, which pose great transition risks for energy-intensive sectors. Using the panel data of 186 Chinese listed enterprises in the energy-intensive sector from 2007 to 2019, this study investigates the impact of green technology innovation on corporate operation risks. Empirical evidence shows that energy-intensive enterprises can effectively reduce their operational risks by participating in green technology innovation activities. This study also proves the mechanism of obtaining the support of public policies and enhancing investor confidence in the capital market, while the mechanism of improving recognition in the consumer market is insignificant. Climate policy uncertainty weakens the stabilizing effect of green technology innovation on operational risks. In addition, green technology innovation has a weak stabilizing effect on the operational risks of state-owned enterprises, while government subsidy can strengthen the stabilizing effect. Finally, the stabilizing effect of green technology innovation on operational risks varies by region, period, scale and ownership. This study and its findings provide theoretical insights for corporate risk management in energy-intensive industries and theoretical analysis for the realization mechanism of the market value of corporate green behavior. Full article

Information attributes characterize traceable agri-food. The perceived value of information attributes influences consumers’ preferences for traceable agri-food, consisting of two dimensions, predictive value and confidence value. We examine heterogeneous preferences and willingness to pay (WTP) in China’s traceable agri-food market. Using the choice experiments, we explore how the traceability information, certification type, region of origin, and price influence Chinese consumers’ Fuji apple choices. We identify three consumer classes by a latent class model: certification-oriented class (65.8%), price-sensitive and origin-oriented class (15.0%), and no-buy class (19.2%). The results show that consumer sociodemographic characteristics, predictive value, and confidence value are the heterogeneous sources that determine their preferences for Fuji apple information attributes. Specifically, consumers’ age, family income per month, and whether the family has children under 18 significantly impact the membership probability of consumers in both certification-oriented and price-sensitive and origin-oriented classes. Consumers’ predicted value and confidence value significantly impact the membership probability of consumers in the certification-oriented class. In contrast, consumers’ predicted value and confidence value have no significant impact on the membership probability of consumers in price-sensitive and origin-oriented class. Full article

Although China is the largest honey producer in the world, domestic consumption is relatively low. Therefore, this study aims to conduct a detailed investigation of honey consumption in the Chinese mainland and identify the main factors determining it. The survey data are from 960 respondents in Jiangxi Province in eastern China. The results showed that respondents mostly prefer an intense flavor (46.46%) and that the color is less important (35.94%). Regarding the types of honey, most respondents prefer runny honey (50.83%) rather than set honey (22.81%). The most common way of buying honey is by a direct sale from beekeepers (44.90%). Most of the respondents have confidence in the quality of domestic honey (87.40%), and the majority consume honey because it is a healthy and nutritious food (74.48%). The results of Fisher’s discriminant analysis indicated that the most important attributes are taste and consistency (of the intrinsic attributes) and price (of the extrinsic attributes), which are the most common reasons for purchasing. These findings provide a better understanding of honey consumption in the Chinese mainland, and they can provide guidance for developing marketing strategies and increasing the level of consumer satisfaction. Full article

In China, a traditional perspective recommended that consuming seafood should be mixed or matched with vinegar, because people thought this traditional Chinese eating habit could reduce the risk of pathogenic microorganism infection, such as Vibrio parahaemolyticus induced diarrhea. However, this empirical viewpoint has not yet been evaluated scientifically. This study conducted a simplified quantitative microbiological risk assessment (QMRA) model, which was employed to estimate the risk reduction of V. parahaemolyticus on ready-to-eat (RTE) shrimp by consuming with vinegars (white vinegar, aromatic vinegar, or mature vinegar). Results showed the reduction of V. parahaemolyticus density on RTE shrimp after consuming with white vinegar, aromatic vinegar and mature vinegar was respectively 0.9953 log CFU/g (90% confidence interval 0.23 to 1.76), 0.7018 log CFU/g (90% confidence interval 0.3430 to 1.060) and 0.6538 log CFU/g (90% confidence interval 0.346 to 0.9620). The infection risk of V. parahaemolyticus per meal in this QMRA model was quantified by a mean of 0.1250 with the standard deviation of 0.2437. After consuming with white vinegar, aromatic vinegar, and mature vinegar, the mean infection risk of V. parahaemolyticus on shrimp decreased to 0.0478, 0.0652, and 0.0686. The QMRA scenarios indicated significant reductions in infection risk when eating RTE shrimp by the Chinese eating habit (consuming with vinegar). This good eating habit should be recommended to promote the spread of around the world. Full article