List of Tables

viii

List of Figures

ix

Preface

xi

Acknowledgements

xv

List of Abbreviations

xvi

Chapter 1: Introduction

1

References

3

Chapter 2: Background

5

2.1 Rationale

5

2.1.1 Nutrition Transition in China

6

2.1.1.1 Urbanization

6

2.1.1.2 Dietary Patterns

9

2.1.1.3 Physical Activity

11

2.1.1.4 Prevalence of Obesity and its Related Chronic Diseases

12

2.1.2 The Metabolic Syndrome

13

2.1.2.1 Complex Interrelationship Among the Components of the Metabolic Syndrome

14

2.1.2.2 Risk Factors for the Metabolic Syndrome

16

2.1.2.3 Diagnosis of the Syndrome

18

2.1.3 Asian-Specific Criteria for Overweight and Central Obesity

20