Health takes the lead as main driver of weight management in China

"I lost 5.5 kilograms during a weight-loss challenge and am expecting a cash reward of 1,000 yuan ($138), " said Jessie, a 37-year-old freelancer living in Beijing, sharing the results of her recent weight-loss journey.

She participated in the "Happy Weight-loss Challenge, " a public initiative launched by JD Health, an online healthcare service provider in China. Held across 25 pharmacies in Beijing starting in early April, the month-long program promised cash rewards for individuals who lost over 2.5 kilograms by the end of April.

The campaign rapidly gained traction on social media, with long queues forming outside participating pharmacies. Despite the organizers increasing the challenge's difficulty due to the overwhelming number of participants, public enthusiasm remained undiminished.

By adjusting her diet over the past month, Jessie has noticed her clothes fitting more loosely and feels mentally more motivated. However, she also acknowledged the potential downsides of rapid weight loss, such as episodes of hypoglycemia. She admitted that losing a significant amount of weight in a short period is not entirely healthy but credited the campaign with providing a clear and motivating goal.

Meanwhile, many participants in the campaign emphasized that their pursuit of a slimmer figure was not for aesthetic reasons but for improved health.

"It's not about looking thin – it's about feeling good and being healthy, " said Ms. Liu, a 29-year-old engineer who lost 3 kilograms through diet and moderate exercise in the same challenge.

Following this trend, communities and universities have also launched similar initiatives this year, including healthy weight-loss courses and the promotion of light food options.

These campaigns align with China's growing national commitment to addressing obesity. In June 2024, China's National Health Commission (NHC) and other government departments jointly launched the "Weight Management Year" initiative. This three-year plan is part of the broader Healthy China strategy, aiming to enhance public health literacy, foster healthy living habits, and create supportive environments for sustained weight control.

A growing health challenge

Obesity is no longer merely a personal issue – it has evolved into a global public health crisis. According to The Lancet, one of the world's leading medical journals, as of 2021, approximately 2.11 billion adults aged 25 and older – 45.1 percent of the global adult population – were affected by overweight or obesity. China had the largest number of affected adults, with 402 million individuals.

The NHC predicts that by 2030, the overweight and obesity rate among adults in China could reach 65.3 percent, with related medical expenses projected to exceed 418 billion yuan (roughly $57.7 billion). This would account for about 21.5 percent of the country's total healthcare expenditure. Tackling obesity is now a critical component of chronic disease prevention and management.

Defining obesity

The World Health Organization (WHO) defines obesity as a chronic and complex disease characterized by excessive fat accumulation that can impair health. The Body Mass Index (BMI) is one of the most commonly used indicators for obesity. WHO guidelines categorize a BMI of 25–29.9 as overweight and 30 or above as obese.

In China, a slightly different scale is applied: a BMI of 24 is considered overweight, and 28 or above as obese. Other body measurements, such as fat mass, waist circumference, waist-to-hip ratio, or waist-to-height ratio, are also recommended for obesity diagnosis.

Obesity is associated with a wide range of health risks, including type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, reproductive issues, bone degeneration, and certain types of cancer. It can also affect daily functions such as sleep and mobility.

Expert guidance on weight management

Effective weight management is widely recognized as a long-term lifestyle commitment rather than a quick fix.

Zhang Peng, director of metabolic and bariatric surgery at Beijing Friendship Hospital affiliated with Capital Medical University, stated in an interview with China Media Group that three core elements are essential for healthy weight control: diet, exercise and sleep.

He advised individuals to opt for lighter meals, reduce intake of sugar, salt and fat, and practice mindful eating by chewing slowly and stopping when 70 percent full.

Furthermore, he emphasized the importance of engaging in at least 30 minutes of moderate physical activity daily, avoiding prolonged sitting, and ensuring 6–8 hours of quality sleep each night to support metabolic stability.

While medical treatments such as weight-loss medications and bariatric surgery are becoming more accessible, Zhang stressed that these methods come with strict clinical indications and should only be pursued under professional guidance.

(At the request of the interviewee, Jessie is used as a pseudonym.)