A recent study from the University of Minnesota School of Public Health suggests that Western fast food intake can increase the risk of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and coronary heart disease (CHD) mortality in Eastern populations, suggesting that further attention needs to be paid to the global interpenetration of food cultures behind epidemiological and nutritional shifts. The results of the study were published online July 2, 2012 in Circulation. Western-style fast food is associated with hypometabolism of the heart muscle due to the dietary structure of the American population, and along with globalization, this diet is becoming more prevalent among populations in developing and less developed countries. The study analyzed the association of Western fast food intake with T2DM and CHD mortality in Chinese Singaporeans. A total of 45-74 years old study participants from the Singapore Chinese Health Study between 1993 and 1998 were involved. A total of 52,584 CHD mortality cases were analyzed as of December 31, 2009, with 1397 deaths occurring during this period. 43,176 participants were included in the T2DM prevalence observation, with a total of 2252 cases during the follow-up period 1999-2004. hazard ratios for T2DM and CHD mortality were corrected for statistical, lifestyle, and dietary factors. The results of the study showed an increased risk of diabetes (HR=1.27, 95% CI=1.03-1.54) and CHD mortality (HR=1.56, 95% CI=1.18-2.06) in those who consumed relatively high amounts of Western fast food (≥2 times/week) compared to controls who consumed less or none. This association was not substantially altered after correction for overall dietary pattern, capacity intake, and body mass index.