In 1987, China opened its first Western fast food restaurant in Beijing - KFC, fast forward 30 years later and there are now over 5000 KFC’s, 2000 McDonald’s, 3300 Starbuck’s – it is no surprise that China faces a growing problem of obesity for the younger generation.

The epidemic of ‘overweight and obesity’ for children in China started in 1985, however numbers remained comparatively low, overweight (1.1%), and obesity (0.1%). Recent statistics show that overweight rates now measure at 9.6% and obesity at 6.4%, which leads to the question of why does China suffer from this dilemma?

Whilst the problem of obesity is no stranger to developed countries in the West, it may seem like an alien concept here in China. However, as China’s booming economy has flourished (comparable with the West), it has resulted in an abundance of Western fast-food restaurants. It is estimated that for every 15 hours in the day, a new Starbucks will open up in China. This has led to a creation of China’s new burgeoning middle class and their growing disposable incomes, for them experiencing Western fast-food is no longer an experience, but a part of life.

Less obvious to the eye, but still a contributing factor is high emphasis on education. The pressure of academics in an increasingly competitive environment places a strain on physical exercise, more time spent indoors studying and less time outdoors.

China’s youth also suffer from an addiction to video gaming. Generating around $34 billion a year, China represents the world’s largest share of the video gaming market. Easy access to smartphones, computers and gaming devices has nurtured a society who would rather sit down facing a screen, than play a game of badminton.

However we can’t just focus on the children- parents and grandparents have a role to play in the problem too. Parents faced with high workloads are forced to rely on grandparents to take care of their children. Traditionally in China, a plump child was seen as a sign of health, care and success, but this has led to over-indulgent grandparents who are accustomed to over-feeding their little ones.

The influence of adults’ lifestyles shouldn’t be overlooked either. As women generally opt for a slim, slender frame as opposed to a strong and muscular look, the importance of the right exercise is side-lined. Working out in the gym is still a relatively new concept, a product of a modern society in China, and hasn’t fully caught on yet. Additionally, lack of awareness of issues among parents has contributed to the problem.

Although China’s child obesity issue is a result of a growing economy, steps can be taken to tackle the problem. Other Asian countries such as Japan and Korea have also faced this problem, but continuous efforts from the family, school, community and government have led to a reduction in overweight and obesity rates. China following suit, along with new initiatives such as its plan ‘Healthy China 2030’ will ensure the country can continue to grow and develop, whilst remaining healthy.

Please note this article is from a personal point of view and not based on a professional study.