Health awareness rises in Chinese youth

The popularity of the devices is clearly reflected in the sales numbers.

Yi Ke, a sales director for the medical company Changsha Sinocare Inc, said the market size for CGM is expanding, and more people are using the device to monitor their blood sugar.

Based on data from e-commerce platforms T-mall and JD, the sales of CGM needles increased by 63 percent year-on-year in the second half of 2024, while the sales of Sinocare's CGM needles increased by 104 percent year-on-year during the same period.

Li Guangwei, senior doctor of the endocrinology department at China-Japan Friendship Hospital, said CGMs can serve as a helpful reference for diabetic patients or those at risk, though the data isn't entirely precise.

"If abnormalities are detected, it's important to seek professional medical advice. For those using CGMs solely for weight loss, they're unnecessary. We advocate for a balanced and healthy approach to beauty, not extreme thinness," he said.

"Previously, it was mostly middle-aged or elderly people coming into the clinic. But in the past two years, I've seen a lot of young faces worried about fatigue, poor sleep, and elevated blood sugar," said Cheng Xiaoyun, senior doctor of the Endocrinology Department at Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital.

Excessive consumption of high-fat, high-sugar foods, lack of exercise, and unhealthy lifestyle habits are major causes of diabetes. Young diabetics are also more prone to complications, said Li.

He recommends that young people adopt healthier diets, exercise regularly, and undergo routine medical check-ups, especially those with a family history of diabetes. By managing their health through evidence-based practices, they can reduce the risk of diabetes and its complications.

Ma Jinju, head of the diabetes outpatient department of Sinocare Health, said there has been an apparent increase in the number of people using CGMs in recent years, as more young people are being diagnosed with diabetes and they pay more attention to their health.

In the age of information, it is also easier for people to get health information about the functions of such products, she said.

Moreover, as the symptoms of early diabetes and prediabetes are not easily noticeable, such devices are very important for people to get a hold of their situation and seek medical treatment in time, she said.

Besides, CGMs can also help people prevent sudden spikes or drops in their blood sugar levels, which is significant in reducing harm to their blood vessels and other vital organs, she said.

However, she also stressed that people who wear the device should not be too concerned about the readings. Checking the numbers every two or three hours is enough, and healthy people do not need to wear the device all the time, she added.

Li Boyu contributed to this story.