Chinese Food in China Vs. Chinese Food in America: Chinese and American Perceptions of Healthiness

Yuheng Cai

Jianyi Dai

Zhihong Ma

Jinjin Qian

Students of Business Administration

New York Institute of Technology

Email: ycai08@nyit.edu, jdai04@nyit.edu

zma05@nyit.edu, jqian06@nyit.edu

Veneta Sotiropoulos, PhD

Associate Professor of Marketing

School of Management

New York Institute of Technology

26 West 61^st, Room 305

New York, NY, 10023

Office: +001 (646) 273-6056

Mobile: +001 (347) 684-4084

Email: vsotirop@nyit.edu

ABSTRACT

American has an obesity problem. As a result, they often look for healthier food options. One such option is Chinese food. Some research suggests that Americans may erroneously think Chinese food is healthier than it may actually be. They equate the lack of obesity in Chinese as a

product of their diet. This can lead Americans to adopt a Chinese diet as a healthier alternative. But in fact, the Chinese food made in America may not be as healthy as it is perceived. The presence of saturated fats and sugar can make such food unhealthy. The present study investigates this assumption using a survey approach of 50 participants (i.e.,25 Americans, 25 Chineses) in the United States. The expectation in this study is to show that most Americans view Chinese food made in American as healthier than

it actually is and also, to show that Chinese view Chinese food made in

America as less healthier than Americans views it. The results, findings, implications, limitations, and future research will be also be discussed