Kristiina Yang
As China’s economy has quickly grown to become worlds second largest, obesity rates amongst the country’s citizens have concurrently risen to unsettlingly high levels. This is no coincidence in an increasingly globalized world, where China’s expanding middle class is choosing to spend their money on accessible, unhealthy food products, particularly from American fast food chains, which can now be widely found throughout the country. In several Chinese cities, the World Health Organization reports that obesity rates have reached levels as high as 20%, posing a significant health concern for the country’s government. Recognizing this rising health issue, however, the municipal governments of many Chinese cities are taking action by developing a foundation for athletic behavior, showing a great desire to finance the construction of new fields, facilities, and spaces for exercise. Further, existing gyms, sports clubs, and gear shops are seeing increasing usage and globalization is bringing a number of foreign gym and gear chains to the country. In schools, students’ physical education grades are being factored into scores alongside conventional subjects as math and language. With such measures being undertaken, China is on its way to slowing down obesity rates and fostering a healthier populace for the future.
Reference:
Sims, Tom. “China’s Next Revolution Is in Fitness”. The New York Times. Web. http://www.nytimes.com/2011/10/13/world/asia/chinas-next-revolution-is-in-fitness.html?ref=health. Oct. 12, 2011.
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