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Changing Chinese Diets to Achieve a Win–Win Solution for Health and the Environment

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  • Fangfang Sheng
  • Jingjing Wang
  • Kevin Z. Chen
  • Shenggen Fan
  • Haixiu Gao

Abstract

Diets are key determinants of nutrition and health and play a significant role in the environment. In this article, we aim to (i) describe dietary transitions and health in China and the consequent environmental challenges; (ii) identify differences between current Chinese diets and healthy reference diets; (iii) conduct a systematic review assessing the health impacts of four reference diets on the Chinese population, and (iv) simulate changes in greenhouse gas emissions under different diet scenarios. The results show differences between the Chinese diets and reference diets, with the current Chinese diet including mainly grains (especially refined rice), excessive meat consumption, and insufficient consumption of fruit and milk. If all Chinese consumers adopt one of the healthy reference diets all the time, the incidence of diet‐related chronic disease and mortality would be significantly reduced. Such dietary shifts would also reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 146–202 million tons (18–25 percent) compared with the projected emissions level in 2030.

Suggested Citation

  • Fangfang Sheng & Jingjing Wang & Kevin Z. Chen & Shenggen Fan & Haixiu Gao, 2021. "Changing Chinese Diets to Achieve a Win–Win Solution for Health and the Environment," China & World Economy, Institute of World Economics and Politics, Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, vol. 29(6), pages 34-52, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:bla:chinae:v:29:y:2021:i:6:p:34-52
    DOI: 10.1111/cwe.12393
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Cai, Hongyi & Biesbroek, Sander & Chang, Zhiyao & Wen, Xin & Fan, Shenggen & Veer, Pieter van 't & Talsma, Elise F., 2024. "How do regional and demographic differences in diets affect the health and environmental impact in China?," Food Policy, Elsevier, vol. 124(C).
    2. agarwal, shekhar & Gordon, Anna, 2022. "Complexities for the Indian Economy of China's Growing Technological Competence," OSF Preprints fk3r7, Center for Open Science.
    3. Cui, Yi & Zhao, Qiran & Si, Wei & Fan, Shenggen, 2024. "Can information intervention improve dietary quality? Evidence from a randomized controlled trial in rural China," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 176(C).
    4. Wei, Zhibiao & Zhuang, Minghao & Hellegers, Petra & Cui, Zhenling & Hoffland, Ellis, 2023. "Towards circular nitrogen use in the agri-food system at village and county level in China," Agricultural Systems, Elsevier, vol. 209(C).

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