The obesity epidemic is also affecting China

The traditional diet rich in grains, vegetables and soy has been replaced by a high fat and sugar diet (meat, dairy products, drinks and sweet snacks) due to the rapid economic growth of the past 30 years in China.

 

 

In some parts of rural China the childhood obesity rates have soared. And in Shandong, the percentage of overweight and obese boys reached 30.7% in 2014 (0.5% in 1985) and for girls 20.6% in 2014 (0.8% in 1985). For the whole country the rates are 23% of boys and 14% of obese and overweight girls in 2014.

 

 

In Beijing, in primary and secondary schools obesity rates were 15.6% last year (+ 5.6% compared to 2010). To try to stem the trend, authorities in the capital have charged each teacher of the 16 districts of the city to ensure the prevention and control obese students.

 

 

China currently has 1.3 billion people, including 46 million adults considered obese and 300 million overweight adults. The market for "health" products will be enormous. 

 

 

source : time.com, sciencemag.org