| Chapter 2: | Background |
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Chapter 2
Background
This chapter describes the rationale that underlies this study by reviewing the literature related to the nutrition transition and its impact on obesity-related metabolic abnormalities. The specific aims of this study are presented followed by a brief description of the China Nutrition Transition project from which the data used in this monograph were derived.
2.1 Rationale
Along with economic growth, urbanization, and technologic development, China is now undergoing a rapid nutrition transition toward the lifestyle in Western society. As a result, prevalence of obesity and its related chronic diseases is increasing at an alarming rate (1, 2). The metabolic syndrome comprises a cluster of abnormalities in complex interaction. The relative contribution of each disorder of the syndrome appears to differ across populations.