Overweight Chinese Trim Down at Weight-Loss Camps
Obesity Challenge
China has ranked obesity the sixth leading risk factor for death and disability, and the country has ramped up efforts to tackle the issue. Beijing’s National Health Commission has said that “the prevalence of overweight and obese people in China has continued to rise.”
A Growing Problem
The country has seen a significant increase in disposable income and higher spending on food, often high in calories and rich in oil, said Charles Poon, medical director at Raffles Hospital Beijing. Additionally, many people are facing more demanding work environments, which can lead to hormonal imbalance and contribute to obesity.
Weight-Loss Camps
As a result, weight-loss camps have popped up across China, offering strict daily exercise regimens, mandatory trips to the scale, and rigid surveillance to guard against snacking. Yang Chi’ao, 23, quit her teaching job earlier this year and signed up for a weight-loss camp on the outskirts of southwestern megacity Chengdu.
Rigorous Regimen
Yang follows a rigorous regime of diet and exercise, which includes long brisk walks, with instructors keeping an eye on participants tempted to stop for snacks at roadside carts. She was one of around 60 slimmers who turned out early to train, with a large poster looming overhead extolling their goal: “Become thin! Become beautiful! Become refined!”
Surveillance and Punishment
Participants are not allowed to leave from Monday to Saturday – unless under “special circumstances”. “No one sneaks out because there is surveillance everywhere, and if you get caught, you’ll be punished,” Yang said, with disciplinary measures including running for five kilometres or doing burpees.
Controversy and Concerns
The facilities have sparked controversy – last year an influencer died while attending a facility in northern China as part of efforts to shed more than 100 kilograms, local media said. Experts warn of the risks, with Pan Wang, an associate professor in Chinese and Asian studies at the University of New South Wales in Australia, saying the government should monitor and restrict workouts and diets which could be potentially dangerous.
Business Opportunity
However, businesses like weight-loss camps can profit from the trend, with the beauty industry booming and the concept of “thinness” translating into a kind of social capital, Wang said.
Accountability and Progress
Yang posts daily videos on Chinese social media apps Douyin and Xiaohongshu – China’s equivalent of TikTok and Instagram – which she said helps keep her accountable. “If I don’t get up every day to shoot, I will have no content to post, and everyone will know I’m slacking off,” she said.
Slow and Steady
One of her roommates, Zhao Yuyang, discovered her videos online and was inspired to join the camp. The 30-year-old has lost more than 5kg in the past month, but is in no rush to shed more weight. “You can’t become a fat man in one bite, so losing weight has to be done slowly,” Zhao told AFP during an evening gym session. “It takes time.”
Conclusion
As China continues to grapple with its growing obesity crisis, weight-loss camps like the one in Chengdu offer a solution for those looking to shed the pounds. While the facilities have sparked controversy, experts warn of the risks and the importance of monitoring and restricting workouts and diets. For those like Yang and Zhao, the journey to a healthier lifestyle is a slow and steady one.
FAQs
Q: What is the prevalence of overweight and obese people in China?
A: According to Beijing’s National Health Commission, the prevalence of overweight and obese people in China has continued to rise.
Q: What are the main causes of obesity in China?
A: Increased disposable income and higher spending on food, often high in calories and rich in oil, as well as more demanding work environments, are contributing factors.
Q: What are the risks associated with weight-loss camps?
A: Experts warn of the risks, including potentially dangerous workouts and diets, and the importance of monitoring and restricting these activities.
Q: How do weight-loss camps work?
A: Weight-loss camps offer strict daily exercise regimens, mandatory trips to the scale, and rigid surveillance to guard against snacking. Participants are encouraged to follow a rigorous regime of diet and exercise, with instructors keeping an eye on their progress.