Grannies, junk food and too much homework may be the culprits of Hong Kong's rising obesity problem.
Despite the obvious 'eat less, exercise more' formula for weight loss, a recent study by the Chinese University of Hong Kong revealed obesity levels of children under the age of 16 had increased from 10 per cent to 15 per cent in the past 10 years.
Albert Li Man-chim, of the Chinese University of Hong Kong, says: 'Many children are looked after by their grandparents, who still think being fat is cute and healthy and brings good luck - an old Chinese saying. They allow their grandchildren to eat whatever they want.'
Professor Li, who runs a clinic for obese children, says parents and schools play very important roles in children's attitudes towards life.
'Parents are role models. If they don't exercise or they eat a lot of junk food, their children will copy their behaviour,' he says.
Regina Lee, assistant professor of nursing at Hong Kong Polytechnic University, agrees.
'Parents are busy working nowadays so both adults and children have become less active. Children do little exercise and have bad eating habits because they learn from their parents.'