For many young students, the summer break is not a time for play, but rather a period of intense working out at weight loss camps. The extreme popularity of these camps bespeaks an alarming trend in China—childhood obesity. According to a report published by the National Health Commission in 2020, one in five Chinese youth aged 6-17 years is overweight or obese, up from just one in 20 in 1995.
This increase is driven by multiple social factors. For instance, heavy coursework at school and a ready availability of digital devices are fixing the country's younger generations in a more sedimentary lifestyle. Also, an age-old belief that more food consumption equals better growth has led many parents to spoil their children with an unlimited supply of junk food and late night snacks.
Excess weight gained in childhood may likely be carried into adulthood and may increase the risks of diabetes, cardiovascular disease, sleep disorders and cancers. What's more, social stigmas related to obesity can also take a heavy toll on a child's emotional wellbeing and self-esteem.
Therefore, parents should closely monitor their child's weight from an early age so that they can promptly intervene when signs of obesity show. That does not mean parents should rely on intermittent fasting or slimming pills for dramatic transformations. A balanced diet, regular physical activity, limited screen time and adequate sleep are enough to help children maintain a healthy weight.