China: Fit or Fat?
From the vantage point of a country where two in three adults is either overweight or obese, it's no surprise that the rise in obesity isn't just confined to the U.S.; it's actually a global phenomenon. In recent years overweight people have outnumbered the starving, and many of the billion people who fall into the fatter category live in China.
While the 25%of overweight and obese Chinese adults pales in comparison to their U.S. counterparts, a new study in Health Affairs estimates that this percentage could double in just twenty years.
Some blame the rise of Western fast food culture, which has become nearly as ubiquitous in Chinese cities as those in the U.S. But the growing rate of obesity in China, which is increasing at a rate of 1.2% each year, has occurred nationwide, even in rural areas far-removed from the hypnotic Golden Arches or smiling face of Colonel Sanders.
Instead, the higher standard of living in China has enabled citizens to afford richer, fattier foods. It's also moved many workers from hard physical labor in the fields to sitting all day in front of a computer.
Dr. Yan Lijing, a health economics professor at Peking University's Guanghua School of Management, says that "in the long run obesity will become a bigger problem even in China because of the westernization of our lifestyle, meaning the reduction of physical activity. We don't exercise as much as there is much less physical activity in our daily lives. We don't ride a bicycle, we don't walk as much, and the change in our diets."
Although this westernized lifestyle has brought about a more sedentary lifestyle, it's also contributed to a growing fitness industry. With hectic work schedules at sedentary jobs, many city workers are now heading to gyms as a way to get in shape.
Ben Xu, Managing Director of Nautilus China says that China "is experiencing an awakened demand for fitness because of the organization and growth." Just seven years ago, China had few gyms or health clubs beyond those in foreign hotels, but now that industry is flourishing. In addition to economic and lifestyle factors, the Olympic fervor has also been a great catalyst for the health industry.
"The Olympics are a great force to change people's health and fitness consciousness," Xu says. "The government is spending to promote a healthy lifestyle. I'm very optimistic about the change, but it's going to be a slow change."
Part of that change has already started within China's schools. Many middle and high schools are emphasizing physical education as a vital part of the academic experience. Cui Xiao Xia has taught physical education at the Beijing New Bridge Foreign Language School for seven years, and says parents today are very interested in their children's physical health.
"Today's households think having a healthy body is more important for their kids, because health is the basis of everything," says Cui. "It's more important than studying, because if you have a healthy body you're better able to study." Feng Shuofei, one of her students says her parents "encourage me to be healthy, to exercise more."
For her and many other young people, athletics isn't just for personal health; it's a way to demonstrate patriotism. Feng and her peers "are exercising more, and our physical exercise is a way to support the Olympics." One of her classmates, Lu Qiao also views the Games as "an opportunity for us to exercise more and get stronger."
With the Olympics just a month away, Chinese of all ages will have the opportunity to cheer on their favorite sports heroes and represent their nation to the world. While it's doubtful that the emphasis on Olympic fitness will somehow reverse the overall obesity trend, it’s definitely helping to reshape the nation.