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China is getting more obese
22/Sep/2006: A recent survey on physical health in China showed that one out of three men and one out eight boys, living in urban areas are overweight. The survey covered 245,035 people aged 3 to 69, living in 31 provinces across the country.
Co-sponsored by ten organizations including the Ministry of Health and Ministry of Education, this survey is the second in its category that covered the entire nation. The obesity and the overweight rate among the Chinese male adults are 9.3 % and 33.2% respectively, up by 1.7% and 1.3% respectively when compared to figures released in 2000.
According to this survey, people in the age group of 40 to 44 have the highest rate of obesity, as obesity rate tends to increase with age. 13.25% of Chinese boys and 8.72% of Chinese girls living in urban areas were found be overweight. The survey also found that Chinese teenagers face a host of problems apart from overweight, which includes myopia (nearsightedness), hypertension, decreasing stamina, strength, speed and vital capacity.
Yang Guiren, director of the department of sports, arts and health of the Ministry of Education, attributes the latest trends in heath among the Chinese population to changing lifestyles and sedentary life in urban areas, where people are not required to do any physical activities. Exam-oriented education system followed in China affect the general health of students, as they are required to study for long hours and have no time to exercise.
A few experts believe that lack of awareness among the public on the importance of physical exercise and effects of obesity, is ruining the health of teenagers in urban areas. Statistics say that 66% of the students exercise less than an hour in a day, while 20.9% of parents do not favor physical exercise for their children. However, according to this survey, the general physical condition of Chinese people has improved slightly compared to five years ago and the physical condition of people living in developed areas is better than those living in rural or poor areas.
The Chinese government has been carrying out similar health surveys every five years since the mid 90’s.
Kesavan Siva
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