Energy density of ethnic cuisines in Singaporean hawker centres: a comparative study of Chinese, Malay and Indian foods

ABSTRACT

@# Introduction: A major focus in the prevention and management of obesity has been in the self-monitoring of foods consumed to reduce total energy intake. The present study used a novel instrument called the Calorie Answer™ to measure the energy content of various local foods in Singapore. The study aimed to build a database on energy density of commonly consumed Chinese, Malay and Indian foods to facilitate appropriate food choices by the consumer. Methods: The first part consisted of measuring the energy density of 15 popular local foods purchased from 8 different hawker centres. In the second part, 46 additional local foods were analysed, again using the Calorie Answer™ instrument. Results: Despite the different locations from which the foods were purchased, the energy content of the same foods was remarkably similar with a coefficient of variation (CV) of <15% for all foods. There was a higher average energy density of Indian foods compared to Chinese and Malay foods (Welch test, p=0.027). Conclusion: Our results suggest that the energy density of commonly consumed foods from different locations was remarkably similar. The average energy density of Indian foods was significantly higher than that of Chinese and Malay. Knowledge of the energy density of foods is essential information that is needed in the battle against being overweight and obesity. The application of the Calorie Answer™ may be used as a means to collate data on the energy density of foods consumed in other countries in the ASEAN region.