Food away from home consumption in urban China: Household composition and dining location effects

China has experienced dramatic changes in food industry in the last three decades, with demographics changed substantially as well. Households are becoming smaller and are expected to age soon. Overweight and obesity have become serious problems at all ages and are worsening rapidly. All these demographic changes are closely related to food consumption and are going to play a vital role on the future of food industry, especially Food-away-from-home (FAFH) consumption.;This study intends to analyze food away from home consumption in urban China with respect to household composition and income first, and then examine the influences of dining location away from home on adult obesity. Findings indicate that household composition has significant effects on FAFH participation and expenditure, and different age groups have different influences. Cafeteria is the most often place urban Chinese have meals at and such meals increase the likelihood of consumers being overweight and obese.