"International study suggests that eating more rice could be protective against obesity"

Obesity levels are substantially lower in countries that consume high amounts of rice (average 150g/day/person), while countries with lower average rice intake (average 14g/day/person) have higher obesity levels, according to an international study of 136 countries, being presented at this year's European Congress on Obesity (ECO) in Glasgow, UK (28 April-1 May).

The link between rice intake and obesity persisted even after taking into account other lifestyle and socioeconomic risk factors including total energy consumption, education, smoking, gross domestic product per capita, and health expenditure.

The researchers estimate that even a modest increase in average rice consumption (of 50g/day/per person--equivalent to quarter of a cup), could reduce the worldwide prevalence of obesity by 1% (ie, from 650 million adults aged 18 years or older to 643.5 million [1]).

"The observed associations suggest that the obesity rate is low in countries that eat rice as a staple food. Therefore, a Japanese food or an Asian-food-style diet based on rice may help prevent obesity," says Professor Tomoko Imai from Doshisha Women's College of Liberal Arts, Kyoto, Japan who led the research. "Given the rising levels of obesity worldwide, eating more rice should be recommended to protect against obesity even in western countries."

People who eat higher levels of dietary fibre and whole grains have lower bodyweight and cholesterol, and lower rates of non-communicable diseases compared with people with lower intakes [2].