Rice and easy! People should consume an extra 50g of rice every day to beat obesity (so how much are people eating in YOUR country?)
- A team of scientists looked at obesity and rice consumption in 136 countries
- Obesity levels were substantially lower in countries with high rice consumption
- Fibre found in whole grains such as rice could increase feelings of fullness
Eating just an extra 50g portion of rice each day may help prevent obesity, research suggests.
Scientists have proven that obesity levels are substantially lower in countries that consume high amounts of rice.
While countries with lower average rice intakes have higher rates of people who are obese, according to an international study of 136 countries.
The researchers say the fibre found in whole grains such as rice may increase feelings of fullness and prevent overeating.
In the UK, people were found to consume just 19g of rice a day, below dozens of other countries including Canada, Spain and the US
Professor Tomoko Imai, from the Doshisha Women’s College of Liberal Arts, Kyoto, Japan, led the research.
They looked at rice consumption in terms of grams per day per person and calorie intake in 136 countries.
And the team also looked at data on body mass index (BMI) – a measure of body fat based on your weight in relation to your height.
Professor Imai said: ‘The observed associations suggest 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.’
He added eating more rice should be recommended, ‘given the rising levels of obesity worldwide’.
The authors concluded: ‘The prevalence of obesity was significantly lower in the countries with higher rice supply.’
They said that the findings remained true even after controlling for lifestyle and socioeconomic indicators.
Scientists have proven that obesity levels are substantially lower in countries that consume high amounts of rice
The researchers calculated that even a modest increase in rice consumption could reduce the worldwide prevalence of obesity.
They said if everyone ate an extra 50g of rice each day the number of obese adults would drop from 650million to 643.5million.
Bangladesh consumes the most rice, the research showed, with people eating an average of 473g per day.
In a global league table, it was followed by Lao (443g), Cambodia (438g), Vietnam (398g) and Indonesia (361g).
At the other end of the spectrum was Tunisia, where people eat only 2.59g of rice each day, on average.
In the UK, people were found to consume just 19g of rice a day, below dozens of other countries including Canada, Spain and the US.
The study, which has been welcomed by experts, was presented at the European Congress on Obesity in Glasgow.
Tam Fry, chairman of the National Obesity Forum, said: ‘We have known for centuries that far eastern populations tend to be slimmer than in the west.’
He added that rice is a staple food but few obesity specialists ‘have appreciated why’.
Mr Fry said: ‘This novel research is the first to hypothesise that we could nail obesity by eating a modest amount more.’