Many countries have begun taking measures to curb obesity which not only affects the population's health, but the country's economy. (Photo: Li Hao/GT)
Health and economic consequences
Among the mental blocks that China must overcome in its battle against obesity is the traditional notion that a chubby figure is a sign of affluence and well-being. The truth, of course, is that excess weight and obesity can cause a number of chronic diseases, such as diabetes, heart disease and cancer.
Shi said in the Oriental Outlook report that the Chinese CDC has now listed obesity, along with drug addiction, alcohol addiction and AIDS, as the country's four biggest health problems and its fifth-ranking cause of death. It is estimated that around 2,800,000 people die of obesity-related health problems every year.
Mao, for example, has noticed the emergence of her own health problems like high blood pressure and type 2 diabetes. Eventually, she says, this could turn into heart problems.
"As a doctor, I know these problems are partly caused by hereditary factors, because high blood pressure and diabetes run in my family, but it's also triggered by me being overweight, which is caused by unhealthy eating habits, and the fact that I don't like to exercise," Mao said.
The excess weight, and the problems it brings, have also affected how she feels on a daily basis. "Because of being overweight and those chronic diseases, I always feel tired and uncomfortable. Sometimes I even can't drive myself because I feel dizzy all the time."
Mao has to take insulin injections and pills for her high blood pressure every day, and says she fears that she will face other complications in the future.
Chronic obesity-related diseases not only put stress on individuals, but on the medical systems of countries around the world. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that developed countries generally devote around 2-to-6 percent of their healthcare funds each year to diseases caused by obesity, with the Chinese government spending around 330,000,000 yuan in 2012, according to the Oriental Outlook report.
According to a report penned by American food science researcher Barry Popkin among others in January 2012, the economic burden caused by obesity in China is huge. In 2000, the indirect economic burden caused by obesity accounted for 3.58 percent of that year's GDP, a number which is expected to rise to 8.7 percent by 2025. That translates to $10.6 billion in lost productivity.
Meanwhile, America's obesity problem currently eats up 17 to 20 percent of the nation's GDP, thanks to medical costs and lost productivity - and it's just a matter of time before China's problem becomes as serious as that of the U.S.
Governments take action
As obesity rises around the world, more and more governments are beginning to take measures in an effort to curb what is becoming a burgeoning health disaster.
"Global obesity has reached crisis point," Ezzati told AFP.
He added that he hoped the findings would spur governments to develop and implement policies to address obesity.
Among the approaches that different governments have begun taking are instituting "sin" taxes on junk foods. For example, Mexico - one of the biggest soda-drinking countries in the world - recently fought back against its growing rates of diabetes and obesity by passing a 10 percent tax on soft drinks, and an 8 percent tax on junk food. Since then, preliminary studies suggest that the country's population has started drinking fewer sugary beverages and more water, according to a NPR news report in June 2015. It's something China might want to consider - between 2007 and 2012, the consumption of sweet drinks in China increased an average of 22.4 percent each year.
However, there are already glimmers of hope. Feng says in some cities in Jiangsu Province and in Shenzhen, Guangdong Province, local governments have already begun taking measures, including adding workout expenses to health insurance coverage.
"It's a good attempt. To tackle obesity problems, the government needs to take the lead," he added. "They should promote awareness about healthy eating and exercise, and get all of the related institutions involved."
