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Review
. 2023 Dec;19(12):1115-1126.
doi: 10.1007/s12519-023-00709-7. Epub 2023 Mar 15.

Trends of obesity and overweight among children and adolescents in China

Ye Hong  1 , Rahim Ullah  1 , Jian-Bing Wang  2 , Jun-Fen Fu  3
Affiliations
Review

Trends of obesity and overweight among children and adolescents in China

Ye Hong et al. World J Pediatr. 2023 Dec.

Abstract

Background: Recent decades have shown a rapid increase in the prevalence of overweight and obesity among Chinese children based on several national surveys. Restrictions due to the coronavirus disease 2019 outbreak have worsened its epidemiology. This review updates the trends in the prevalence of overweight and obesity among Chinese children and adolescents and analyzes the underlying reasons to provide evidence for better policy making.

Methods: Studies published in English and Chinese were retrieved from PubMed, Google Scholar, China National Knowledge Infrastructure and Wanfang.

Results: The prevalence of overweight and obesity has been increasing for decades and varies with age, sex and geography but is more pronounced in primary school students. The increase in obesity in boys appeared to be slower, whereas that in girls showed a declining trend. The northern areas of China have persistently maintained the highest levels of obesity with a stable trend in recent years. Meanwhile, the prevalence in eastern regions has dramatically increased. Notably, the overall prevalence of obesity in children has shown a stabilizing trend in recent years. However, the occurrence of obesity-related metabolic diseases increased. The effect of migrants floating into east-coast cities should not be neglected.

Conclusions: The high prevalence of overweight and obesity among Chinese children and adolescents persists but with varying patterns. Obesity-related metabolic diseases occur more frequently despite a stable trend of obesity. Multiple factors are responsible for the changing prevalence. Thus, comprehensive and flexible policies are needed to effectively manage and prevent the burden of obesity and its related complications.

Keywords: Adolescents; Children; Obesity; Overweight; Policy.

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Conflict of interest statement

No financial or non-financial benefits have been received or will be received from any party related directly or indirectly to the subject of this article. Author Jun-Fen Fu is a member of the Editorial Board for World Journal of Pediatrics. The paper was handled by the other Editor and has undergone rigorous peer review process. Author Jun-Fen Fu was not involved in the journal's review of, or decisions related to, this manuscript. The authors have no conflict of interest to declare.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
High-risk factors for childhood obesity and obesity-related disorders and measures for disease control and prevention accordingly. The right part of the figure presents high-risk factors for obesity. The left part of the figure specifies measures taken by governments, schools, families and health institutions. Individual actions are also highlighted. The middle part summarizes obesity-related metabolic diseases. NAFLD nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, OSAHS obstructive sleep apnea/hypopnea syndrome, PCOS polycystic ovary syndrome
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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