The Problem of Obesity in China and Its Public Health Response Strategy
Research Article
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The Problem of Obesity in China and Its Public Health Response Strategy

Xinzheng Cao 1*
1 Anhui Medical University
*Corresponding author: 2213045013@stu.ahmu.edu.cn
Published on 13 August 2025
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TNS Vol.124
ISSN (Print): 2753-8826
ISSN (Online): 2753-8818
ISBN (Print): 978-1-80590-271-3
ISBN (Online): 978-1-80590-272-0
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Abstract

Obesity has become a major public health issue globally, including in China. Its prevalence has increased rapidly in recent years, resulting in severe health and socioeconomic consequences. Current research indicates that urbanization, lifestyle changes, and socioeconomic factors are key drivers of the obesity epidemic in China. However, significant urban-rural disparities and insufficient interdepartmental collaboration hinder the implementation of existing intervention measures, limiting the effectiveness of obesity prevention and control efforts. This paper systematically analyzes the current status of obesity in China, the public health response measures implemented, and the outcomes of their implementation. Specifically, it examines national action plans, community and school interventions, healthcare system reforms, and the application of digital health management tools. The study emphasizes the importance of interdepartmental coordination, multi-channel public health education, and balanced resource allocation between urban and rural areas to enhance the effectiveness of obesity prevention and control efforts. Future research should focus on these areas to improve the effectiveness of intervention measures.

Keywords:

Obesity in China, Obesity prevention, Health policy, Health disparities.

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Cao,X. (2025). The Problem of Obesity in China and Its Public Health Response Strategy. Theoretical and Natural Science,124,71-76.

References

[1]. World Health Organization. Obesity. https: //www.who.int/health-topics/obesity

[2]. Mu, L., Liu, J., Zhou, G., Wu, C., Chen, B., Lu, Y., Lu, J., Yan, X., Zhu, Z., Nasir, K., Spatz, E. S., Krumholz, H. M., & Zheng, X. (2021). Obesity Prevalence and Risks Among Chinese Adults: Findings From the China PEACE Million Persons Project, 2014-2018. Circulation. Cardiovascular quality and outcomes, 14(6), e007292.

[3]. Linghu E. (2022). Obesity and chronic diarrhea: a new syndrome?. Chinese medical journal, 135(15), 1806–1807.

[4]. Kivimäki, M., Strandberg, T., Pentti, J., Nyberg, S. T., Frank, P., Jokela, M., Ervasti, J., Suominen, S. B., Vahtera, J., Sipilä, P. N., Lindbohm, J. V., & Ferrie, J. E. (2022). Body-mass index and risk of obesity-related complex multimorbidity: an observational multicohort study. The lancet. Diabetes & endocrinology, 10(4), 253–263.

[5]. Pugliese, G., Liccardi, A., Graziadio, C. et al. Obesity and infectious diseases: pathophysiology and epidemiology of a double pandemic condition. Int J Obes 46, 449–465 (2022).

[6]. Zeng, Q., Li, N., Pan, X., Chen, L., & Pan, A. (2021). Clinical management and treatment of obesity in China. The Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology, 9(6), 393–405.

[7]. Lv, J., & Zhang, Z. (2024). Progress and challenges in NCD prevention and control in China. BMJ, q2098.

[8]. Sun, X., Sun, Z., Peng, W., Zhang, J., Gou, B., Tian, X., Yang, Y., Wang, Y., & Group, E. A. (2024). Expert Consensus and call on actions for weight management in China: Advancing Healthy China Initiative through Strategic Actions. Deleted Journal, 6(51), 1347–1353.

[9]. Zhang, Y., Gu, D., Xie, Y., & Li, B. (2024). Association between BMI and increased time-to-pregnancy in planned pregnancy couples: a cohort study in Guangzhou, China. BMC Public Health, 24(1).

[10]. Zhou, M., Wang, H., Zeng, X., Yin, P., Zhu, J., Chen, W., Li, X., Wang, L., Wang, L., Liu, Y., Liu, J., Zhang, M., Qi, J., Yu, S., Afshin, A., Gakidou, E., Glenn, S., Krish, V. S., Miller-Petrie, M. K., . . . Liang, X. (2019). Mortality, morbidity, and risk factors in China and its provinces, 1990–2017: a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2017. The Lancet, 394(10204), 1145–1158.

[11]. Pan, X. F., Wang, L., & Pan, A. (2021). Epidemiology and determinants of obesity in China. The lancet. Diabetes & endocrinology, 9(6), 373–392.

[12]. Zhu, Z., & Yin, P. (2023). Overweight and obesity: The serious challenge faced by Chinese children and adolescents. Journal of global health, 13, 03036.

[13]. McMahon, K., & Howard, S. (2024, December 6). China now accounts for roughly one quarter of diabetes cases worldwide. EHN.

[14]. Dang, J., Liu, Y., Cai, S., Zhong, P., Shi, D., Chen, Z., Zhang, Y., Dong, Y., Ma, J., & Song, Y. (2024). Secular trend and projection of overweight and obesity among Chinese children and adolescents aged 7–18 years from 1985 to 2019: Rural areas are becoming the focus of investment. Chinese Medical Journal.

[15]. Work Updates - Shenzhen Municipal Health Commission Website. (n.d.). https: //wjw.sz.gov.cn/xxgk/gzdt/content/post_11496219.html

References

[1]. World Health Organization. Obesity. https: //www.who.int/health-topics/obesity

[2]. Mu, L., Liu, J., Zhou, G., Wu, C., Chen, B., Lu, Y., Lu, J., Yan, X., Zhu, Z., Nasir, K., Spatz, E. S., Krumholz, H. M., & Zheng, X. (2021). Obesity Prevalence and Risks Among Chinese Adults: Findings From the China PEACE Million Persons Project, 2014-2018. Circulation. Cardiovascular quality and outcomes, 14(6), e007292.

[3]. Linghu E. (2022). Obesity and chronic diarrhea: a new syndrome?. Chinese medical journal, 135(15), 1806–1807.

[4]. Kivimäki, M., Strandberg, T., Pentti, J., Nyberg, S. T., Frank, P., Jokela, M., Ervasti, J., Suominen, S. B., Vahtera, J., Sipilä, P. N., Lindbohm, J. V., & Ferrie, J. E. (2022). Body-mass index and risk of obesity-related complex multimorbidity: an observational multicohort study. The lancet. Diabetes & endocrinology, 10(4), 253–263.

[5]. Pugliese, G., Liccardi, A., Graziadio, C. et al. Obesity and infectious diseases: pathophysiology and epidemiology of a double pandemic condition. Int J Obes 46, 449–465 (2022).

[6]. Zeng, Q., Li, N., Pan, X., Chen, L., & Pan, A. (2021). Clinical management and treatment of obesity in China. The Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology, 9(6), 393–405.

[7]. Lv, J., & Zhang, Z. (2024). Progress and challenges in NCD prevention and control in China. BMJ, q2098.

[8]. Sun, X., Sun, Z., Peng, W., Zhang, J., Gou, B., Tian, X., Yang, Y., Wang, Y., & Group, E. A. (2024). Expert Consensus and call on actions for weight management in China: Advancing Healthy China Initiative through Strategic Actions. Deleted Journal, 6(51), 1347–1353.

[9]. Zhang, Y., Gu, D., Xie, Y., & Li, B. (2024). Association between BMI and increased time-to-pregnancy in planned pregnancy couples: a cohort study in Guangzhou, China. BMC Public Health, 24(1).

[10]. Zhou, M., Wang, H., Zeng, X., Yin, P., Zhu, J., Chen, W., Li, X., Wang, L., Wang, L., Liu, Y., Liu, J., Zhang, M., Qi, J., Yu, S., Afshin, A., Gakidou, E., Glenn, S., Krish, V. S., Miller-Petrie, M. K., . . . Liang, X. (2019). Mortality, morbidity, and risk factors in China and its provinces, 1990–2017: a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2017. The Lancet, 394(10204), 1145–1158.

[11]. Pan, X. F., Wang, L., & Pan, A. (2021). Epidemiology and determinants of obesity in China. The lancet. Diabetes & endocrinology, 9(6), 373–392.

[12]. Zhu, Z., & Yin, P. (2023). Overweight and obesity: The serious challenge faced by Chinese children and adolescents. Journal of global health, 13, 03036.

[13]. McMahon, K., & Howard, S. (2024, December 6). China now accounts for roughly one quarter of diabetes cases worldwide. EHN.

[14]. Dang, J., Liu, Y., Cai, S., Zhong, P., Shi, D., Chen, Z., Zhang, Y., Dong, Y., Ma, J., & Song, Y. (2024). Secular trend and projection of overweight and obesity among Chinese children and adolescents aged 7–18 years from 1985 to 2019: Rural areas are becoming the focus of investment. Chinese Medical Journal.

[15]. Work Updates - Shenzhen Municipal Health Commission Website. (n.d.). https: //wjw.sz.gov.cn/xxgk/gzdt/content/post_11496219.html

Cite this article

Cao,X. (2025). The Problem of Obesity in China and Its Public Health Response Strategy. Theoretical and Natural Science,124,71-76.

Data availability

The datasets used and/or analyzed during the current study will be available from the authors upon reasonable request.

About volume

Volume title: Proceedings of ICBioMed 2025 Symposium: AI for Healthcare: Advanced Medical Data Analytics and Smart Rehabilitation

ISBN: 978-1-80590-271-3(Print) / 978-1-80590-272-0(Online)
Editor: Alan Wang
Conference website: https://2025.icbiomed.org/auckland.html
Conference date: 17 October 2025
Series: Theoretical and Natural Science
Volume number: Vol.124
ISSN: 2753-8818(Print) / 2753-8826(Online)

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