A recent study by Huazhong Agricultural University in China has discovered that urban households consume more seaweed than their rural counterparts. The research, published in the journal Foods, also revealed that individuals with greater dietary knowledge tend to consume more seaweed. The total consumption of seaweed in China has risen from 59 g/month/person in 2004 to 94 g/month/person in 2009, indicating a growing demand. The study suggests that urbanization and the ready access to food have contributed to this increase, with fast food consumption also playing a role. Despite this, China's seaweed consumption remains lower than that of Japan and South Korea.