Hailey Ward
9/90/2010
6:30pm
Twelve year old Liu Tao weighs in at 115kg (253lbs). He is around 40kg (88lbs) more than what he should be for someone his height. He is a day patient at The Aimin Fat Reduction Hospital in Tianjin. It, along with many other hospitals and clinics are focused primarily on helping the Chinese citizens lose weight. Obese individuals are more likely to have major health complications such as heart disease and diabetes. The large numbers of obese people are already putting pressure on China’s health care system. His treatment is focused on a healthier diet, massage (to keep his skin elastic so it will shrink along with his waist) and acupuncture. In his first two weeks of treatment he lost around 9kg (19.8lbs).
Many believe that the one child policy in China has made the younger generation spoiled. Liu was allowed to eat whatever he wanted and admitting that he does nothing around the home. The education system in China can also affect a child’s weight. His mother claims that he leaves for school at 7am and does not return home until 7pm. After doing a few hours of homework and eating dinner it is 10pm. With a schedule like this exercise is not a top priority. Another contributing factor for obesity is the lack of space. China has expanded tremendously over the past 30 years. Paul French the co-author of Fat China: How Expanding Waistlines are Changing a Nation says that "There is very little public space in urban areas and even when there is you often cannot walk on the grass.”
Obesity is a problem that is sweeping the globe. Many people are unaware of the dangers their eating habits can impose. Many schools are more focused on getting thought the curriculum that they are unwilling to set aside time for physical activity. A child as young as twelve years old weigh as much as a grown man is completely absurd. Education is the key to preventing obesity. People need to be educated on the dangers of obesity. If we can educate the younger generation now we might have a chance of making a change. Clearly we know some of the contributing factors in obesity, now what can we do to change them?
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-pacific-11368027
1 comment:
When I think of obesity, I automatically think of the United States. It's interesting to realize that obesity is a problem everywhere. The treatments of the day clinic were also intriguing -acupuncture, massage (that sounds like something people should look into worldwide), etc. That is one thing that stuck out to me. While obesity is a problem everywhere, it seems other countries (outside U.S) are doing more to fight. I agree completely that we have to educate people to truly see change.
Post a Comment