一个句子的理解，请教NN~~

the rate of people consuming fatty foods is about the same in France and the United States
不说别的问题，只说这里的"the rate of people consuming fatty food"，到底是理解成“人们消耗多脂肪食物的速率”还是“（消耗多脂肪的）人的速率”啊？~就是不知道可不可以这样表达？求教NN~~

rate of = frequency or speed
（Compared to: rates for = prices)

"the rate of people consuming fatty foods" is ambiguous. You may read this phrase aloud using different punctuations and find out.

Possible meaning A:the rate of PEOPLE    (consuming fatty foods)
"the rate of people who consume fatty foods"
Here "rate" means 比率，for example 50%

Possible meaning B: the rate of  (people CONSUMING fatty foods)
"the rate at which people consume fatty foods" or "the rate of consumption of fatty foods"
this phrase refers to 人们消化脂肪的速度

I think the correct choice should resolve this ambiguity.

Just come across this post... Ron did a better job than I did.
http://www.manhattangmat.com/forums/although-people-in-france-consume-fatty-foods-at-a-rate-t5712.html

"of people consuming" is incorrect; you can't write "of + NOUN + VERBing" if the action of VERBing is the focus of the preposition.
see here:
post18293.html#p18293

also, the next poster is correct: choice (e) inadvertently states that "the rate of people" is consuming fatty foods.  that doesn't make any sense.