Reading comprehension.
You are what you eat and fats are a main food for Asia's fast-food generation. Dr. Chwang, director of the
Department of Food Nutrition, says children are consuming more meat and soft drinks. That is a thorough
departure from the traditional diet of vegetables and rice and little meat. "They like big pieces of fried meat with
a soft drink. So although they may eat the same volume of food, their calorie intake (卡路里摄入量) has
increased. Now about 40 to 45 percent of their calories come from fat," says Chwang.
Although on the whole Asians tend towards thinness, culture -namely Asians' hospitality (好客)-is a reason
for the fatness of today's generation, according to Chwang. "Asian people love food," she says. "Eating and
drinking are important social and family functions." In the past, however, big meals were only hosted on special
occasions as people were more careful with money. In today's climate of wealth and remarkable consumption,
10-course meals are no longer reserved for significant occasions.
More than anyone else, children are on the receiving end of their parents' improved circumstances. "In the
past, people had four or more children-now, they have one or two, so they tend to spoil them," says Chwang.
"The easiest way is to give them 'quality food'. Parents think feeding them well is showing their love. They feel
bad when their children look thin."
When describing the physical condition of most overweight Asian children, Chwang says:"There is a clear
relationship between fatness and indoor play. Children get fat because they don't move, and eventually, they
don't want to move because they're fat.
Thanks to technology, a growing army of children prefer video games to old outdoor sports. "What do
children do when watching TV or sitting in front of the computer playing video games? They eat chocolate and
drink Coke," says Chwang.
1. Which of the following is NOT true according to the passage?
A. Asian people tend to save more money.
B. Asian children depart from their diet tradition.
C. Asian children eat big meals on more occasions.
D. Culture contributes to the fatness of Asian children.
2. According to this passage, the 'quality food' fed by some parents is actually _____.
A. healthful food
B. qualified food
C. agreeable food
D. high-calorie food
3. Some parents feel bad when their children look thin, because _____.
A. their children don't love eating and drinking
B. their children don't have a good physical condition
C. they feel that they don't take good care of their children
D. they feel that they are not wealthy enough to afford 'quality food'
4. The purpose of this article is to _____.
A. compare the traditional diet with today's diet of Asian children
B. find reasons for increased food consumption of Asian people
C. explain why many Asian children are overweight nowadays
D. prove the relationship between fatness and indoor play
