Economic Impact of Obesity in China, Research Paper Example

Obesity contributes to many health problems worldwide, including diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and various forms of cancer. In recent decades, the problem of obesity has increased substantially in China due to an extreme change in lifestyle, impacting the economic system. Though efforts are being made to combat this epidemic, progress is slow and the problems of obesity continue to increase. The purpose of this paper is to discuss both the health and financial problems caused by the growing rate of obesity in China.

The Change in the Chinese Lifestyle

The transformation in the Chinese economy has changed the lifestyle of the average Chinese citizen. Income growth, urbanization, advances in technology, globalization and increases in trade, and the increase in the production of livestock at more affordable prices (Cheng 2007) helped to facilitate this change. Before the economic reforms in China in the 1970’s, the typical Chinese diet consisted of grains and starchy root vegetables. Animal products, sweeteners, and diverse fruits and vegetables were not a substantial part of the diet (Cheng, 2007). Since the 1970’s, the Chinese diet has decreased in fiber and starchy vegetables, and has increased in the consumption of cereals, animal products, and unhealthy fats. Hu (2011) reports that along with a more inflammatory western diet, the higher level of drinking and smoking in Asians predisposes them to certain diseases, such as type 2 diabetes.

The level of physical activity in China has also decreased. People are more sedentary, as they watch more television and have the convenience of using automobiles as opposed to walking and bicycles for transportation. The level of inactivity combined with an unhealthy diet allows for a greater accumulation of body fat and increases the likelihood of related complications.

Effects on Health

Obesity increases the risk for many health conditions including type 2 diabetes, gallbladder disease, cardiovascular-related illnesses, and certain types of cancer. Depression rates tend to be higher in the obese due to poor self-image and discrimination in healthcare and employment. Families with obese members often suffer from lower household income and higher medical expenses (Cheng, 2007).

In a study by Ruan, Miao, Joss-Moor, Yang, Shi, Zhang, Li and Xu (2013), it is estimated that over 92 million people have type 2 diabetes in China; this represents half of the world’s diabetic population. It is also estimated that 148 million Chinese individuals are pre-diabetic (Hu, 2011). In 1980, less than 1% of Chinese had type 2 diabetes, but by 2008, the number of individuals with type 2 diabetes had reached 10%, affecting 92 million people (Hu, 2011).

Obesity may be particularly dangerous for Asians. Hu (2011) reports that Asians not only have a higher tendency towards central obesity, but computer-based tomography shows that Asians have more visceral fat than Caucasians with the same waist circumference. Diabetes is also occurring at younger ages and lower body mass indexes than in western population. Part of this problem may also be due to the prevalence of malnutrition in utero and low birth weights, combined with “overnutrition” later in life.

Solutions of the Chinese Government

Because this problem is affecting so many people in China, there have been many national attempts to try and fight obesity. Implementing a price policy (Cheng 2007) would increase the cost of unhealthy foods, in order to reduce the likelihood of their purchase and consumption. However, designating certain foods as healthy or unhealthy could create further health problems. Many of the unhealthy foods consumed by Chinese individuals do have some form of nutritional value, even though they contribute to obesity. There is a high number of people in China suffering from micronutrient deficiencies, such as iron, vitamin A, iodine, and zinc (Cheng 2007). For this reason, the government is also increasing opportunities for physical activity along with the access to nutrient-dense foods and better education regarding lifestyle choices.

Since 1997, the National Plan of Action for Nutrition in China has set food-based policies related to nutrition and health issues. In 1998, the plan was transferred to the Department of Disease Control of the Chinese Ministry of Health to create long-term goals such as relieving hunger and food shortages, improving nutritional status, and preventing chronic disease. They created the Dietary Guidelines for Chinese Residents and the Balanced Diet Pagoda, a program similar to the food pyramid in the United States (Cheng 2007). The National Plan for Prevention and Control of Diet-Related Non-communicable Diseases was issued in 1996 and National Hypertension Day was established in 1998. The Chinese government is also trying to increase opportunities for exercise and to reduce children’s academic burdens so they would have more time for exercise (Cheng, 2007).

Policies have been implemented to create incentives for farmers to grow healthier foods. In 2004, Chinese government gave subsidies for the purchase of high quality grain and soybean seeds. By increasing the availability of healthier foods, Chinese citizens will be able to better afford healthier purchases.

Effects on Global Economics

Despite the efforts of the Chinese government, obesity rates continue to rise. This problem occurs not only in China, but in other countries as well. If these trends continue, it is estimated that by 2030, up to 57.8% of the world’s population, 3.3 billion people could be overweight or obese (Kelly, Yang, Chen, Reynolds & He, 2008). By 2030, developing nations are predicted to have a larger proportional increase in the number of overweight and obese individuals. The growth in population size, age, urbanization, and total calorie intake are predicted to increase, while physical activity is predicted to decline (Kelly et al, 2008). Obesity-related diseases such as type 2 diabetes accounted for 12% of the health expenditures in 2010, or $376 billion. This number is expected to increase to $490 billion dollars in 2030. During this period, any economic gains in these developing nations, such as China, may be reversed. And because many of these countries are not equipped to handle these obesity-related diseases, mortality rates may be severe (Hu, 2011).

The financial burden of healthcare is often the greatest for people who are least able to afford it in developing countries, widening the gap between the rich and the poor. Yach, Stuckler and Brownell, (2006) found that 30% of lower income households in China attributed their poverty to the cost of healthcare. The economic impact of obesity in China not only increases the national cost of healthcare, but decreases the productivity of the workforce. This may decrease China’s ability to keep up long-term with the competitive economy (Popkin, 2011). The national spending from 1978-2002 has doubled, with a major portion in the cost of pharmaceuticals.

Conclusion

The problem of obesity in China, along with other nations, must be addressed. Because China is still a developing country, many citizens cannot afford the financial burdens that obesity can impose. Though the government has programs to fight obesity, the rate of obese individuals continues to rise. China’s position in the global economy may be negatively affected if its citizens are too sick to work and have to spend so much money on healthcare. Greater efforts regarding education and healthcare must be established in order to ensure China’s future success.

References

Cheng, F. (2007). The nutrition transition and obesity in China. (Master’s thesis, Cornell University) Retrieved from http://cip.cornell.edu/DPubS?service=UI&version=1.0&verb=Display&handle=dns.gfs/1200428159

Hu, F. (2011). Globalization of diabetes: The role of diet, lifestyle, and genes. Diabetes Care, 34(6), 1249-1257. Retrieved from http://care.diabetesjournals.org/content/34/6/1249.full

Kelly, T., Yang, W., Chen, C., Reynolds, K., & He, J. (2008). Global burden of obesity in 2005 and projections to 2030. International Journal of Obesity, 32, 1431-1437. Retrieved from http://www.nature.com/ijo/journal/v32/n9/full/ijo2008102a.html (Kelly, Yang, Chen, Reynolds & He, 2008)

Popkin, B. (2011). Is the obesity epidemic a national security. Current Opinion in Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Obesity, 18(5), 328-331. Retrieved from http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3736119/

Ruan, Y., Miao, M., Joss-Moore, L., Yang, Q., Shi, L., Zhang , H., Li, R., & Xu, W. (2013). Increased waist circumference and prevalence of type 2 diabetes and hypertension in Chinese adults: Two population-based cross-sectional surveys in Shanghai, China. BMJ Open, 3(10), Retrieved from http://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/3/10/e003408.long

Yach, D., Stuckler, D., & Brownell, K. (2006). Epidemiologic and economic consequences of the global epidemics of obesity and diabetes. Nature Medicine, 12(1), 62-66. (Yach, Stuckler & Brownell, 2006)