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    The growing burden of overweight and obesity in contemporary China

    Access Status
    Fulltext not available
    Authors
    Wu, Y.
    Huxley, Rachel
    Li, M.
    Ma, J.
    Date
    2009
    Type
    Journal Article
    
    Metadata
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    Citation
    Wu, Y. and Huxley, R. and Li, M. and Ma, J. 2009. The growing burden of overweight and obesity in contemporary China. CVD Prevention and Control. 4 (1): pp. 19-26.
    Source Title
    CVD Prevention and Control
    DOI
    10.1016/j.cvdpc.2008.11.003
    ISSN
    1875-4570
    School
    School of Public Health
    URI
    http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11937/27316
    Collection
    • Curtin Research Publications
    Abstract

    Once considered to have one of the leanest populations, China is fast catching up with the West. Recent estimates from the 2002 China Health and Nutrition Survey indicate that nearly 215 million Chinese are affected, about 22% of adults, 5% of children ages 0-6 years and 7% of those ages 7-17 years. Although the prevalence of overweight and obesity in China is relatively low compared with countries in the West, it is the rate of increase that gives the greatest cause for concern. From 1992 to 2002 the prevalence of adult overweight increased by nearly 40% and that of obesity doubled. Particularly among rural Chinese who account for more than 60% of the country's total population, the prevalence, although significantly lower than that found in urban areas, has increased two to three-fold over the 10 year time period. Studies suggest that changes to the traditional diet, reduced levels of physical activity, increased sedentary lifestyles, lack of health knowledge on obesity, and traditional social attitudes towards body fatness are major drivers of the increasing trend. Improving the level of awareness about the hazards associated with excess weight through wide-reaching health education campaigns is a fundamental first step in combating the epidemic. Actions have been undertaken by the government, some academic societies and experts. National and regional programs focusing on health education and school children have been initiated, However, potential solutions to China's obesity crisis are still for the most part theoretical, and it will be many years before the efficacy of the current strategies that have been initiated can be evaluated. Crown Copyright © 2008.

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