Weight management program launched in Beijing

A weight management program for Chinese citizens was launched in Beijing on Aug 8, the National Fitness Day, during a conference on weight control and health literacy.

The event was organized by Health Times, a publication affiliated with China's National Health Commission.

A report from Ping An Securities noted China's weight-loss pharmaceutical sector could reach 14.9 billion yuan by 2030, with a projected compound annual growth rate of 22.9 percent.

The "6623 Weight Loss Program" aims to guide the public in managing body weight using the official guidance for improving health literacy, which includes 66 items of health knowledge and skills. The program follows the World Health Organization's recommended BMI range for Asians, with 23 set as a key upper limit reminder.

"Weight management is a scientific endeavor, not just a slogan," Wu Jing, head of the chronic disease center at the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, said.

"Without effective control, chronic disease rates could rise significantly in the coming decades," Wu added.

Yao Guizhong, former vice-president of Peking University Sixth Hospital, stressed the psychological dimensions of weight management.

Traditional Chinese medicine was also highlighted as part of the program's strategy. Professor Zhang Qiming of the China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences linked obesity to lifestyle factors and recommended exercise and acupuncture as elements of a holistic approach.