This study was published in The New England Journal of Medicine.

It is hard to imagine the Chinese becoming more sedentary.  The picture of an enormous group of Chinese exercising in a major city square, as required by the government. is etched in my memory and likely that of many of you. No more.

In addition to that, the Chinese diet, with its heavy reliance on vegetables and rice—thought to be healthier food choices by nutritionists—has offered this nation extra benefits.

BBC

“China faces a diabetes epidemic, with almost one in 10 adults having the disease while most cases remain undiagnosed, researchers have said.

“Tests showed diabetes was more endemic than previously thought, according to the New England Journal of Medicine.

“The figures suggest China has some 90 million diabetics, far more than India.

“Rapid economic growth has affected public health, through urbanisation, changed diets and more sedentary lifestyles, researchers said.”

Source: BBC, March 25, 2010

Citation: NEJM,362:1090-1101, March 25, 2010, Number 12