At a recent obesity prevention conference in Foshan, south China's Guangdong Province, a new white paper revealed a striking trend: 70% of adults on the Chinese mainland want to lose weight. Even more eye-opening, over 60% are ready to commit the time and energy needed to hit their goals.
Despite this hunger for healthier lifestyles, the study found that half of adults misjudge their weight status. Fourteen percent who see themselves in the healthy range actually fall into overweight territory by body mass index (BMI) standards. Liang Xiaofeng, vice chairman of the Chinese Preventive Medicine Association, says this gap in self-assessment makes it tougher to prevent cardiovascular diseases, diabetes and other chronic conditions.
Current figures show 34.3% of adults are overweight and 16.4% are obese. Without a strong intervention, those numbers could climb to a staggering 70.5% by 2030 6 driving up an estimated $61 billion in medical costs.
To tackle the challenge, authorities kicked off a nationwide campaign in June 2024 to build a more supportive environment over the next three years. Hospitals will set up obesity prevention and control centers, offering inpatient weight-management services. Full coverage is expected by June 2025.
Meanwhile, more than half of the population has already started taking action: trimming oil, salt and sugar, and exploring healthy meal replacements. The white paper urges a deeper social commitment 6 from clear, science-based guidelines to community-driven support networks 6 to ensure weight-management strategies meet real-world needs.
For young professionals juggling busy lives, entrepreneurs on the move or sustainability-minded thinkers, this white paper on the Chinese mainland underscores a universal truth: real-world impact starts with personal choices. As global citizens, we're reminded that understanding and supporting healthy habits is key to a brighter, more resilient future.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
