Translation. Region: Russian Federal
Source: People’s Republic of China in Russian – People’s Republic of China in Russian –
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
GUANGZHOU, May 11 (Xinhua) — Public awareness of weight control is growing in China, with 70 percent of Chinese hoping to lose weight and more than 60 percent willing to spend time and effort to achieve the goal.
This is according to a white paper on health and weight control for Chinese adults, which was released at an obesity prevention conference held in Foshan City, south China’s Guangdong Province, on Saturday.
The white paper notes that half of Chinese adults who have assessed their weight find that it does not correspond to their actual body mass index (BMI). Specifically, 14 percent of Chinese adults rate their weight as healthy, but are actually overweight according to BMI measurement.
Such inaccuracy in self-assessment makes it difficult to prevent and control cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases, diabetes and other chronic diseases, indicating a lack of public understanding of the health risks of obesity, said Liang Xiaofeng, deputy head of the Chinese Society of Preventive Medicine.
According to the National Health Commission of China, 34.3 percent of Chinese adults are currently overweight and 16.4 percent are obese. The data predicts that by 2030, 70.5 percent of Chinese adults will be overweight or obese if no action is taken to combat the threat. This will result in medical costs of US$61 billion.
In response, authorities launched a three-year nationwide campaign to create a favorable environment for weight control in June 2024. More hospitals have been encouraged to set up obesity prevention and control centers to provide inpatient weight loss services, with near-full coverage expected by June 2025.
The white paper added that more than half of China’s population is now taking active steps to control their weight by choosing diets lower in oil, salt and sugar and choosing suitable meal replacements.
It also calls for more active, comprehensive and sustainable social support through the creation of a knowledge system on weight control and the adoption of scientific and effective measures aimed at the real needs of the population. -0-