China’s obesity problem is rapidly worsening, and it has become one of the countries with the most severe obesity issues globally, especially among adults and teenagers, which is particularly concerning. If the current situation is not changed, obesity will become a heavy burden on China’s future public health, medical resources, and economic development.
During the National People’s Congress and Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference, the National Health Commission of China stated that if the obesity problem is not effectively controlled, the national adult overweight and obesity rate will reach 70% in five years.
On International Obesity Day on March 4th, a latest study published in the authoritative medical journal “The Lancet” revealed that in 2021, the number of overweight and obese adults in China reached 402 million, ranking first in the world and double that of India, a populous country. The study forecasts that this number will increase to 627 million by 2050.
The obesity rate among children and teenagers in China is also alarming. The number of overweight and obese individuals aged 5-14 soared from 12.7 million in 1990 to 33.4 million in 2021, and is expected to reach 34.3 million by 2050, consistently ranking first globally in numbers. The number of obese individuals in the 15-24 age group ranks second globally, after India.
The study predicts that if the obesity problem is not effectively controlled, by 2030, the adult overweight and obesity rate in China will reach 70.5%, and the rate among children will reach 31.8%.
These latest studies reveal the seriousness of the obesity problem in China, indicating that if effective measures are not taken, the situation will further deteriorate over the coming decades.
Guo Yanhong, Director of the Medical Emergency Department of the National Health Commission of China, stated in July 2024 that the obese and overweight population constitute “a significant public health issue.”
In the same year of July, state media Xinhua reported that over half of Chinese adults are obese or overweight, exceeding the World Health Organization’s (WHO) forecast of 37% for China.
In July of last year, the National Health Commission of China and 15 other government agencies jointly held a massive campaign to prevent obesity. This three-year promotional campaign included eight aspects, such as “lifelong commitment, active monitoring, balanced diet, physical activity, good sleep, realistic goals, and family action.”
The Chinese government has also issued health guidelines to primary and middle schools nationwide, requiring regular check-ups, daily exercise, hiring nutritionists, cultivating healthy eating habits, and emphasizing the principles of a low-salt, low-oil, low-sugar diet.
Obesity can lead to an increase in the incidence of chronic diseases such as diabetes, hypertension, and cardiovascular diseases, thereby increasing the burden on the healthcare system. It can also affect labor force health and subsequently impact economic development. Childhood and adolescent obesity may affect their physical and mental development, leading to lowered self-esteem, reduced learning efficiency, and other issues.
Since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, China’s economy has been persistently sluggish, leading consumers to purchase and consume cheap, unhealthy foods, resulting in a rapid rise in the obesity rate among the population, significantly increasing medical and health insurance costs.
In September last year, a Reuters report cited doctors and researchers saying that China’s obesity problem is not only prevalent in urban areas but also in rural areas. High risk factors for obesity in urban areas include work pressure, long work hours, and unhealthy food choices, while in rural areas, weakened agricultural labor intensity and inadequate medical facilities for checking and treating overweight individuals are critical issues.
China faces a dual challenge that exacerbates the overweight and obesity issue: on one hand, modern economic conditions reduce labor intensity, leading more people to remain sedentary or in office jobs; on the other hand, prolonged economic weakness forces people to choose purchasing and consuming cheap and unhealthy foods.
Reuters cited as an example that due to oversupply or declining demand in housing and infrastructure construction, in recent years, tens of millions of workers have had to switch from construction and manufacturing to becoming ride-hailing drivers or food delivery workers.
In an environment of increasing deflationary pressure, consumers are more inclined to satisfy their hunger with simple, cheap dining options, which are typically not healthy. Due to concerns about spending money, parents have canceled swimming or other sports classes for their children. According to Daxue Consulting, a marketing consulting company, China’s fast-food market is projected to increase from 892 billion RMB in 2017 to 1.8 trillion RMB in 2025.
“Economic downturns often lead to changes in people’s lifestyles,” said Huang Yanzhong, Senior Fellow for Global Health at the Council on Foreign Relations (CFR), to Reuters. “Dietary habits may become abnormal, and social activities may also decrease.”
“These changes in daily life could increase the prevalence of obesity, ultimately leading to diabetes,” said Huang Yanzhong. He predicts that China’s obesity rate will continue to “rapidly increase, putting pressure on the healthcare system.”