Impact of obesity on public health in China and implications for policy responses

Wang Youfa, Dean of the Institute of Global Health, Xi'an Jiaotong University

The prevalence of obesity is influenced by many factors, especially socioeconomic environmental factors, and obesity has become a serious global public health problem

Obesity prevention and control policies have been introduced

Over the past 40 years, a number of obesity prevention and control-related policies and action plans have been introduced at the national level, including policies and actions to promote nutrition and physical activity

In recent years, China has stepped up its efforts to prevent and control obesity and introduced some new related policies

China has also introduced a number of new policies to promote public health in recent years, calling for vigorous promotion of healthy lifestyles

The 2019 Blue Book on Obesity Prevention and Control in China was released

On April 10 this year, the Obesity Prevention and Control Branch of the Chinese Nutrition Society was established to create a national-level platform to promote academic exchanges, popular science activities, and social services related to obesity prevention and control.

Improve the domestic prevention and control system by learning from international experience

At present, China can learn from some foreign policies and practices on obesity prevention and control

In the United States, obesity prevention and control is seen as a primary health issue related to socioeconomics, national security, child growth, and intellectual development

Japan has always regarded diet and nutrition as one of the material foundations and important links for improving the physical health of the people, and has made "diet education" an important national sport step by step

Singapore's Ministry of Health and Health Promotion Committee and other agencies have promulgated and implemented a series of policies and actions related to obesity prevention and control, mainly including policies and comprehensive policies related to diet and nutrition

The British government released a report on childhood obesity prevention and control strategies in August 2016

International experience can provide reference for China to introduce obesity prevention and control policies

It is imminent to explore effective obesity prevention and control work

At present, the overweight and obesity rate among Chinese residents is close to that of many high-income countries.

Under the current severe situation, based on the guidance framework of systematic measures, population evidence, obesity prevention strategies advocated by international organizations, and consultation opinions from more than 20 experts and scholars in the field of nutrition and obesity prevention and control at home and abroad, the "Obesity Issues on China's Public Health" was published.

In short, both the world and China are facing the severe challenge of obesity, and comprehensive and effective prevention and control strategies and measures have not yet been formed

"China Food News" (July 01, 2021 Edition 03)

(Editor in charge: Wang Jinchen)