Researchers studied 330 people in southern China to understand how their eating habits connect to their weight and metabolic health. They found three main eating patterns: a modern Cantonese style (with chicken, eggs, fish, and vegetables), a traditional Cantonese style (with more processed foods), and a Western-influenced style (with pasta and coffee). The modern Cantonese pattern seemed to protect against high cholesterol, while the Western-influenced pattern was linked to better blood sugar control. These findings suggest that the foods we choose daily can significantly impact our health markers.

The Quick Take

  • What they studied: How different eating patterns in southern China relate to weight gain, cholesterol levels, blood sugar control, and belly fat.
  • Who participated: 330 adults living in Guangdong Province, China, with an average age of 54 years old. About half were men and half were women.
  • Key finding: People who followed a modern Cantonese diet (featuring white meat, eggs, fish, fresh vegetables, and soup) had lower chances of high cholesterol. Those eating a Western-influenced diet had lower chances of blood sugar problems and belly fat buildup.
  • What it means for you: Your daily food choices matter for your metabolic health. Eating more fresh vegetables, lean proteins, and fish while limiting processed foods may help protect your cholesterol and weight. However, this study shows associations, not proof of cause-and-effect, so individual results may vary.

The Research Details

This was a cross-sectional study, which means researchers collected information from people at one point in time rather than following them over months or years. Participants answered detailed questions about what they eat, their eating habits, and their health history during face-to-face interviews. Researchers also measured their weight, body fat using a special scale, and took blood samples to check cholesterol, blood sugar, and other health markers.

The researchers used a statistical method called principal component factor analysis to identify three distinct eating patterns from the data. This technique groups similar foods together to show how people actually combine foods in their diets, rather than looking at individual foods one at a time. They then used statistical tests to see which eating patterns were connected to better or worse metabolic health.

Understanding real-world eating patterns is more useful than studying individual foods because people don’t eat foods in isolation—they eat combinations. This approach shows how the foods people actually choose together affect their health. Cross-sectional studies are quick and affordable, making them good for identifying patterns that researchers can then study more deeply.

This study has a moderate sample size of 330 people, which is reasonable but not huge. The main strength is that it reflects real eating habits in a specific population. The main limitation is that it’s a snapshot in time, so we can’t prove that diet caused the health differences—only that they’re connected. The study was conducted in one region of China, so results may not apply to other populations.

What the Results Show

The research identified three distinct eating patterns among southern Chinese people. The modern Cantonese pattern emphasized white meat (chicken), eggs, milk, fish and seafood, fresh fruits, vegetables, and traditional slow-cooked soups. This pattern was associated with significantly lower odds of having high cholesterol (dyslipidemia) compared to the traditional Cantonese pattern.

The traditional Cantonese pattern was characterized by higher consumption of ultra-processed foods typical in Chinese cuisine. The localised Western pattern featured pasta, breakfast cereals, coffee, and Cantonese desserts. Interestingly, the Western-influenced pattern was linked to lower odds of blood sugar metabolism problems and belly fat accumulation.

These associations remained statistically significant even when looking only at people who had never been diagnosed with diabetes, suggesting the patterns may have protective effects before disease develops. The findings suggest that modern Cantonese eating habits may offer metabolic advantages, particularly for cholesterol management.

The study found that most participants preferred rice as their main staple food and regularly ate fresh vegetables, which are positive dietary habits. Red meat was frequently consumed, while white meat was eaten often. Seafood, beans, and soups were eaten occasionally. Traditional processed foods like dairy and pasta were rarely eaten in the overall population, though they appeared more frequently in the Western-influenced pattern group.

These findings align with previous research showing that diets rich in vegetables, lean proteins, and fish are associated with better cholesterol levels. The protective effect of modern Cantonese patterns mirrors benefits seen in Mediterranean-style diets in other populations. However, the finding that a Western-influenced pattern showed some protective effects for blood sugar control is somewhat unexpected and suggests that individual food combinations matter more than simple categorization of ‘Western’ versus ’traditional’ diets.

This study captures eating habits at only one moment in time, so we cannot determine if diet caused the health differences or if people with certain health conditions changed their diets. The study included only 330 people from one region of China, so results may not apply to other populations or ethnic groups. The study relied on people’s memory of what they ate, which can be inaccurate. Additionally, the study cannot account for other lifestyle factors like exercise, sleep, or stress that also affect metabolic health.

The Bottom Line

Based on this research, consider increasing your intake of fresh vegetables, lean white meats (chicken), fish, eggs, and traditional soups while limiting ultra-processed foods. These changes appear to support better cholesterol levels. Confidence level: Moderate—this study shows associations but not definitive proof. Individual results depend on many factors including genetics, overall lifestyle, and portion sizes.

This research is most relevant to people living in or with cultural ties to southern China, as the patterns studied are specific to that population. However, the general principles about eating more fresh foods and lean proteins apply broadly. People concerned about cholesterol, blood sugar, or weight management may find these patterns particularly relevant. Those with existing metabolic diseases should consult their healthcare provider before making dietary changes.

Changes in cholesterol levels typically take 2-4 weeks to show up in blood tests, though some people see changes within days. Blood sugar improvements may take 2-3 weeks. Weight and belly fat changes usually become noticeable within 4-8 weeks of consistent dietary changes, though individual variation is significant.

Want to Apply This Research?

  • Log your meals daily and categorize them by pattern type (modern Cantonese, traditional, or Western-influenced). Track weekly cholesterol and blood sugar readings if available, or monthly weight and waist circumference measurements to see if your pattern choices correlate with health improvements.
  • Set a specific goal like ’eat white meat or fish 4 times per week’ or ‘include fresh vegetables in 5 meals per week.’ Use the app to plan meals following the modern Cantonese pattern and receive reminders to prepare soups or include vegetables with meals.
  • Create a 12-week tracking plan: record your primary eating pattern daily, take weekly photos of meals to identify patterns, measure waist circumference monthly, and schedule quarterly blood work to monitor cholesterol and blood sugar trends. Compare your health markers before and after adopting a modern Cantonese eating pattern.

This study shows associations between eating patterns and health markers but does not prove that diet directly causes these health outcomes. Individual responses to dietary changes vary based on genetics, overall lifestyle, medications, and other health conditions. Before making significant dietary changes, especially if you have diabetes, high cholesterol, or other metabolic conditions, consult with your healthcare provider or registered dietitian. This research is specific to a southern Chinese population and may not apply equally to other ethnic groups or regions. This information is for educational purposes and should not replace professional medical advice.