Weight-control sector gains as income rises

Eva Long is passionate about exercising. She goes to the gym three times a week and has a personal trainer. But the 30-year-old also takes a weight management product to improve her fitness. She spends about 6,000 yuan ($967) a year on nutrition and weight management products.

"Sometimes my busy work schedule does not allow me to exercise, so weight management products serve as an alternative to keep me in shape without going to the gym," said Long, adding "and you don't have to starve yourself or suffer from malnutrition."

According to Li Keji, professor in the department of nutrition and food hygiene at Peking University's School of Public Health, obesity rates in China have been increasing rapidly, with the percentage of overweight adults estimated at about 30.6 percent and obese adults at 12 percent.