Chinese residents enjoy various types of beverages in their daily life. With the rapid Westernization of contemporary China, several adverse health concerns—such as diabetes linked to sweetened beverages—have emerged. Until now, no research that examines associations between beverage consumption and smoking/drinking behaviors has been made available, despite the large Chinese populations partaking in such activities. We conducted a cross-sectional study to explore the association between beverage intake frequencies and smoking/drinking behaviors in 12,658 adult respondents who participated in the latest wave (2011) of the China Health and Nutrition Survey (CHNS). Further, we applied Tukey’s Honest Significance test for pairwise comparisons. We defined the consumption categories as daily (at least one serving per day), weekly (less than one serving per day, at least one serving per week), monthly (less than one serving per week, at least one serving per month), and less than monthly or none—for sweetened beverage, water, tea, and coffee consumptions. The data showed that both tea and sweetened beverages are associated with smoking/drinking behaviors. Compared to respondents who consume tea and sweetened beverages daily, the odds of smoking behaviors are lower for those who consume such beverages less frequently. Further policy implications are discussed, including higher taxes on sweetened beverages and lessons from other countries.

China has one of the world’s largest populations using alcohol. With the trend of increasing alcohol consumption and the rapid growth of its aging population, China has faced imminent public health challenges in the past few decades. This research study aims to investigate determinants related to alcohol consumption behaviors or alcohol dependence among older adults (age ≥60) in China. Using the Chinese Longitudinal Healthy Longevity Survey from 2000 to 2014 waves (n = 35,377), we estimated multivariable logistic regression models to examine the factors associated with current alcohol consumption status, alcohol consumption experience, daily consumption, and alcohol dependence. Of all respondents between 2000 and 2014, 5.7% were current alcohol users, 20.3% reported alcohol use experience, 3.3% used alcohol daily, and approximately 1.1% reported alcohol dependence. Current smoking status, health status, and respondents’ gender were associated with all alcohol-related behaviors (p < .05). In addition, older adults from newer waves had higher odds of becoming daily alcohol consumers and having alcohol dependence, compared with older adults in the 2000 wave. Older adults living in an institution had lower odds of becoming current alcohol users, compared with those living with household members. Older adults residing in eastern regions had higher odds of becoming current alcohol users, compared with northern residents. Rural residents had higher odds of reporting alcohol use patterns (p < .01), except alcohol use experience. Future public health interventions and promotional strategies should focus on regional and community disparities in China.

China has undergone rapid social transitions within the last few decades. However, mental health issues, challenges to psychological well-being, and poor dietary choices have gradually surfaced. These health concerns are related to the rapid growth of the aging population and of the fast-paced industrialized society. Nevertheless, there is little knowledge about food preferences and psychological well-being measurements in contemporary China. Applying the 2011 China Health and Nutrition Survey (CHNS) with a cross-sectional study design (n = 7970), we conducted multinomial logistic regression models to investigate the associations of food preferences, including fast food, salty snacks, fruits, vegetables, and sweetened beverages, with psychological well-being among Chinese middle-aged and older adults (age ≥ 45). Food preferences are mostly associated with psychological well-being (p < 0.05). However, respondents’ preferences regarding fast food, salty snacks, and sweetened beverages are associated not only with poorer psychological health status, but also with positive psychological well-being. We speculate that Chinese older adults may consume Westernized fast food and salty snacks as pleasure to the palate due to the recent Westernization in modern China. We also provide practical implications of results from this preliminary study.