China is witnessing a surge in weight management awareness, with a striking 70% of adults expressing a desire to lose weight, according to a newly released white paper on health and weight control. Over 60% are willing to invest time and effort to achieve their goals, signaling a shift toward healthier lifestyles.
The white paper was unveiled at an obesity prevention conference held on Saturday in Foshan, Guangdong Province. Researchers found that half of Chinese adults have self-assessments of their weight that do not align with their actual body mass index (BMI). Notably, 14% who consider themselves within a healthy range are, by BMI standards, overweight.
This misperception poses challenges for preventing and controlling chronic conditions such as cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, and cerebrovascular diseases. Liang Xiaofeng, vice chairman of the Chinese Preventive Medicine Association, emphasized that an insufficient understanding of obesity’s health risks is hindering efforts to curb these diseases.
According to the National Health Commission, 34.3% of Chinese adults are currently overweight, and 16.4% are obese. Without intervention, these figures could escalate to 70.5% by 2030, potentially resulting in $61 billion in related medical expenses.
In response to this growing health concern, authorities launched a nationwide campaign in June 2024 aimed at creating a more supportive environment for weight control over the next three years. Hospitals across the country are being encouraged to establish obesity prevention and control centers offering inpatient weight management services, with nearly full coverage expected by June 2025.
The white paper also revealed that more than half of the population is actively taking steps to manage their weight. Many are adopting diets with less oil, salt, and sugar, and are opting for appropriate meal replacements.
Experts are calling for more active, comprehensive, and continuous social support to combat obesity. Building a weight-control knowledge system and implementing scientific, effective measures that focus on the public’s actual needs are seen as crucial steps in promoting a healthier society.
