Growing health awareness feeds new 'slimming economy'

China is seeing the advent of the "slimming economy", with more consumers turning to expert nutritionists, fitness workouts and AI-driven smart devices to stay trim and healthy.

The National Health Commission, the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention and 16 other departments launched a three-year plan in June 2024 to curb the increase in body weight among the Chinese population and encourage the adoption of healthy lifestyles.

In late 2024, the NHC released the guidelines for weight management, which predicted that if the current trends are not effectively controlled, overweight and obesity rates among Chinese adults and children are expected to reach 70.5 percent and 31.8 percent, respectively, by 2030.

Obesity is no longer just a matter of physical appearance — it has become a pressing health concern tied to lifestyle, environment and overlooked medical conditions.

"The government has encouraged hospitals to open weight management departments. This is to help people look at obesity scientifically, starting from the root causes, rather than just eating less or exercising more," said Fei Jian, deputy director of the Luwan Branch of Shanghai Ruijin Hospital.

Some patients, for instance, eat very little, but gain weight due to factors such as thyroid problems, lack of sleep, stress, and even a gut bacteria imbalance, which can all affect an individual's metabolism.

Fei said the first step in healthy weight management is understanding what drives weight gain. Skipping this crucial step, he warned, often leads to failed attempts at weight loss and maintenance.

"Endocrine disorders can make weight management harder: insulin resistance increases hunger and fat storage, PCOS (polycystic ovary syndrome) promotes visceral fat, growth hormone deficiency reduces muscle and increases fat, and leptin resistance sustains obesity," he said.

Extreme fasting, crash diets, or weight-loss injections may yield quick results, but they can also trigger metabolic crises, electrolyte imbalances, acute pancreatitis, or heart arrhythmia problems.

"Losing more than 1.5 kilograms per week can harm muscles, the heart, and other organs, and very low body fat in women may cause menstrual problems. Safe weight loss is 0.5 to 1 kg per week, supported by gradual, science-based lifestyle changes," said Fei.

He advocates tracking calorie intake, prioritizing sleep to regulate hormones, and setting realistic goals.

"For those with obesity linked to medical conditions such as hypothyroidism or PCOS, personalized care is essential — sometimes involving medication or even surgery — alongside tailored nutrition and exercise guidance," said Fei.

The key to avoiding regaining weight lies in forming good habits, he said. "Long-term balancing of diet, exercise, and rest — supported by a healthy mindset — is what truly safeguards both weight and well-being," he said.