"What's a healthy breakfast every morning?" "My waistline isn't small; how do I reduce it?" "What are some tips for weight loss?" On March 23, Guangdong held the "Weight Management Year" event at Guangzhou's Huacheng Square.
Enhancing public health awareness through diverse activities
The event showcased innovative achievements in the field of healthy weight management in Guangdong, attracting many residents to learn about scientific weight management concepts and enhance awareness of healthy lifestyles.
During the event, 13 medical institutions from Guangdong provided expert clinic services, offering personalized healthy living advice to residents on a one-on-one basis and shared tips for scientific weight management.
An expat from Chile living in Guangzhou for 13 years shared his experiences of maintaining a healthy balance despite the city's culinary temptations.
"My favorite is running. There is a small sports park on Ersha Island. I do some exercise. I go running in the morning, four times a week."
When asked about the impact of Guangzhou's culinary delights on his exercise habits, he admitted that the city's diverse and delicious food, ranging from traditional Cantonese cuisine to dishes from Chengdu, Chongqing, and other regions of China, can be quite tempting. However, he emphasized that the variety of healthy options available allows him to maintain a balanced diet without much difficulty.
To build a supportive environment for weight management in 3 years
According to the latest monitoring of adult chronic diseases and their risk factors across the province in 2023, the overweight and obesity rate among adults in Guangdong is 49.4% (overweight rate: 33.2%, obesity rate: 16.2%). This is slightly lower than the national level of 50.7% (overweight rate: 34.3%, obesity rate: 16.4%).
Not long ago, the Guangdong Provincial Health Commission and 16 other departments jointly announced an implementation plan for the "Weight Management Year" activity in Guangdong Province.
The plan aims to establish and improve a supportive environment conducive to weight management over about three years. By the end of 2025, the coverage of weight management and obesity diagnosis, and treatment services provided by secondary and higher-grade comprehensive medical institutions should be no less than 50%. By the end of 2026, it should reach 80%.
"The core concept of scientific weight management is health," said Liu Liqun, Director of the Guangdong Provincial Health Commission. "It is not just about weight loss but also includes weight gain, especially for residents who are too thin or malnourished."
He advocated for each household to equip themselves with health management tools such as weight scales, waist measurement tapes, pedometers, and exercise equipment. He also promoted the use of "one scale, one tape, one calendar" (weight scale, waist measurement tape, weight management calendar) for weight management.
Meanwhile, he also proposed measures such as "reducing salt, oil, and sugar." For example, using low-sodium salt, adopting cooking methods like steaming and boiling to reduce oil intake, and eating fewer snacks and sugary drinks to reduce sugar intake.
English reporter | Chen Jinxia
English video | Qin Shaolong
Cameramen | Xu Shuzhi, Liang Jucong, Zhong Zhihui
Chinese video | Zhou Xinyu, Long Dayang
Editor | Hu Nan, James, Shen He
