Gender difference in the association between food away-from-home consumption and body weight outcomes among Chinese adults.

OBJECTIVE The present study aimed to explore the associations between food away-from-home (FAFH) consumption and body weight outcomes among Chinese adults. DESIGN FAFH was defined as food prepared at restaurants and the percentage of energy from FAFH was calculated. Measured BMI and waist circumference (WC) were used as body weight outcomes. Quantile regression models for BMI and WC were performed separately by gender. SETTING Information on demographic, socio-economic, diet and health parameters at individual, household and community levels was collected in twelve provinces of China. SUBJECTS A cross-sectional sample of 7738 non-pregnant individuals aged 18-60 years from the China Health and Nutrition Survey 2011 was analysed. RESULTS For males, quantile regression models showed that percentage of energy from FAFH was associated with an increase in BMI of 0·01, 0·01, 0·01, 0·02, 0·02 and 0·03 kg/m2 at the 5th, 25th, 50th, 75th, 90th and 95th quantile, and an increase in WC of 0·04, 0·06, 0·06, 0·04, 0·06, 0·05 and 0·07 cm at the 5th, 10th, 25th, 50th, 75th, 90th and 95th quantile. For females, percentage of energy from FAFH was associated with 0·01, 0·01, 0·01 and 0·02 kg/m2 increase in BMI at the 10th, 25th, 90th and 95th quantile, and with 0·05, 0·04, 0·03 and 0·03 cm increase in WC at the 5th, 10th, 25th and 75th quantile. CONCLUSIONS Our findings suggest that FAFH consumption is relatively more important for BMI and WC among males rather than females in China. Public health initiatives are needed to encourage Chinese adults to make healthy food choices when eating out.