China is stepping up its fight against obesity by launching a comprehensive initiative to establish weight management clinics in hospitals across the country by June 2025. In a joint statement issued on Thursday, the National Health Commission (NHC) and the State Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine announced that the program aims to achieve near-complete coverage of such services in general hospitals, children’s hospitals, and traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) hospitals under their jurisdiction, as well as those under provincial-level authorities.
The initiative is a direct response to the growing public health threat posed by obesity and overweight conditions, which are linked to serious health problems such as diabetes and cardiovascular diseases. A 2020 report from the NHC revealed that over 50 percent of Chinese adults are overweight or obese, with nearly 20 percent of children and adolescents between ages six and 17 affected by obesity.
To address this, major hospitals will be encouraged to establish obesity prevention and control centers, offering in-patient weight management services. At the grassroots level, primary healthcare institutions will be tasked with providing education, health management, follow-ups, and efficient referral services. These facilities will also utilize digital technologies, such as artificial intelligence, internet-based tools, and wearable health devices to enhance service delivery and monitoring.
Crucially, the clinics will implement a classified management approach and deliver personalized weight management services to key demographics, including children, the elderly, pregnant women, and individuals with chronic illnesses.
The move highlights China’s growing focus on preventive healthcare and lifestyle-related diseases. By prioritizing weight management services, the country is not only addressing the immediate health concerns linked to obesity but also reducing the long-term burden on its healthcare system.
Experts believe this nationwide approach could serve as a model for other countries grappling with similar public health challenges. As China continues to integrate modern technologies and traditional practices, the success of this initiative could mark a significant step forward in global health innovation and chronic disease prevention.
