China is the most heavily populated country in the world. Along with that it is also emerging as the next superpower with a rapidly growing middle class fueled by the spoils of massive industrialization and technological advancement. In the midst of all this fanfare there is a silent epidemic with future catastrophic outcomes that is also unfolding right under the nose of much media noise – obesity. Some startling facts show that China has the biggest number of smokers in the world standing at 350 million.
Apart from this amazing figure of tobacco use, it has been shown that another health time bomb is that of obesity with as many as a 100 million people thought to be obese in 2008 up from 18 million in 2005. Observers agree that there are certain key factors that is driving China down this road. As already mentioned the overwhelming prosperity in the last 10 years has been really an important factor to this problem. On the other hand obesity is also thought to be the negative outcome of the one child policy fiercely implemented by the government.
Sociologists argue that in China the one child policy has driven many parents to spoil their only kids. The most common symbol of affection in China is food. It would appear that these only kids were overtime being pampered with food by a middle class parenthood enjoy and able to spread the gains of a prospering economy. According to Jiao Tong University researchers, there has been a 25 percent jump in obesity amongst primary school kids in the last 10 years.
In response there is a growing effort in China to control this obesity explosion. Stakeholders have no illusions about the long term effects of an obese and overweight nation. Left alone China will face an unprecedented explosion in chronic diseases such as diabetes, hypertension, cancers and cardiovascular diseases. Numerous clinics, camps and hospitals has sprang up across China in an effort to arrest this growing problem. Just how effective these clinics are remains to be seen. It however appears to be a mammoth task to reduce the speed at which the problem is growing.
Perhaps the best way forward in China is to expand public education on the dangers of obesity and overweight. The idea is to once again bring attention to the importance of the already highly regarded Chinese diet to limit its abandonment for western diets mainly comprising of fast food. Perhaps there is also need to dispel the notion that eating fast food is a symbol of prosperity.
Whole foods form an important part of a healthy diet in controling obesity and weight gain. Learn more about the importance of whole grain foods. Also learn in detail about the dangers of childhood obesity.
Apart from this amazing figure of tobacco use, it has been shown that another health time bomb is that of obesity with as many as a 100 million people thought to be obese in 2008 up from 18 million in 2005. Observers agree that there are certain key factors that is driving China down this road. As already mentioned the overwhelming prosperity in the last 10 years has been really an important factor to this problem. On the other hand obesity is also thought to be the negative outcome of the one child policy fiercely implemented by the government.
Sociologists argue that in China the one child policy has driven many parents to spoil their only kids. The most common symbol of affection in China is food. It would appear that these only kids were overtime being pampered with food by a middle class parenthood enjoy and able to spread the gains of a prospering economy. According to Jiao Tong University researchers, there has been a 25 percent jump in obesity amongst primary school kids in the last 10 years.
In response there is a growing effort in China to control this obesity explosion. Stakeholders have no illusions about the long term effects of an obese and overweight nation. Left alone China will face an unprecedented explosion in chronic diseases such as diabetes, hypertension, cancers and cardiovascular diseases. Numerous clinics, camps and hospitals has sprang up across China in an effort to arrest this growing problem. Just how effective these clinics are remains to be seen. It however appears to be a mammoth task to reduce the speed at which the problem is growing.
Perhaps the best way forward in China is to expand public education on the dangers of obesity and overweight. The idea is to once again bring attention to the importance of the already highly regarded Chinese diet to limit its abandonment for western diets mainly comprising of fast food. Perhaps there is also need to dispel the notion that eating fast food is a symbol of prosperity.
Whole foods form an important part of a healthy diet in controling obesity and weight gain. Learn more about the importance of whole grain foods. Also learn in detail about the dangers of childhood obesity.