China Introduces Guidelines to Tackle Rising Obesity Rates

 

China's National Health Commission has issued its first set of comprehensive guidelines to standardize the diagnosis and treatment of obesity, responding to a sharp increase in the country's overweight and obese population in recent years. The guidelines highlight that obesity is both an independent disease and a key contributor to multiple chronic illnesses, making it a pressing public health issue.

Ranked as the sixth leading risk factor for death and disability in China, obesity poses a major challenge for the nation's healthcare system. To address this, the new guidelines provide detailed recommendations for clinical nutrition, medication therapy, surgical treatment, and behavioral and psychological interventions. They also emphasize the importance of exercise in treating obesity while ensuring patient safety and maintaining high standards of medical care.

According to Zhang Zhongtao, director of the guideline drafting committee, these regulations aim to protect the health rights of patients and improve the overall quality of obesity treatment in China. Experts involved in the drafting process have also stressed that most cases of overweight and obesity stem from unhealthy lifestyle habits.

The guidelines recommend that the most effective long-term solution to combat obesity lies in adopting a healthy lifestyle, which includes a balanced diet and regular exercise. This approach, they argue, is crucial for keeping weight within a healthy range and preventing associated chronic diseases.

As China continues to address its growing obesity crisis, these guidelines mark a significant step toward promoting healthier living and improving the nation's overall well-being.