Obesity 'epidemic' threatens to overwhelm nation's youth

Urban-rural divide

However, despite the good intentions, implementation is often poor in rural areas, according to some observers. "Schools in big cities, such as Beijing and Shanghai, may have implemented this project well. However, at schools in rural areas, where the equipment is poor and there is little attention from teachers and parents, exam scores are still king," said Hou Jingwen, an English teacher at No. 2 Middle School in Renxian county, which has a population of 370,000, in the northern province of Hebei.

According to a study published by the European Society of Cardiology last year, the proportion of overweight or obese boys in rural China soared to 17.20 percent from 0.03 percent between 1985 and 2014, while the figure for girls jumped to 9.11 percent from 0.12 percent.

"In the past two years, we have seen children from the rural areas of Shaanxi and Henan provinces attend the boot camp. Before, the number was zero," said Nan, the weight-loss coach.

Hong has lost 20 kg, and now weighs 60 kg. In the past three and half months, she has become optimistic and more self-confident. Next month, she will return to Chengdu and restart school.

"I hope that next time I come to Beijing, it will be to start my life at college," she said.