Editorial | Hong Kong’s war on obesity will result in a healthier society

The serious threat to health posed by obesity is a growing global problem, with more than a billion people around the world suffering from the disease. Hong Kong faces a challenge in reversing the worrying trend, which has seen the proportion of residents who are obese or overweight rise from 37.2 per cent in 2004 to 51.3 per cent in 2022. Action is needed.

A comprehensive approach is to be adopted with the aim of ensuring the fight against obesity is embraced by the community. Many departments are involved. The government is right to recognise that policies must be science-based and systematic.

The plan aims to combat obesity through education, fostering a social environment that supports weight management, health services and monitoring trends. Every stage of a person’s life is to be covered, from prenatal nutrition to ensuring the elderly are active. Initiatives include promoting a healthy lifestyle in schools, making weighing scales more readily available and providing easily accessible health advice.

New sports facilities, including cycle tracks and jogging trails, will be introduced and more fitness equipment installed on housing estates.

Increasing awareness will be the focus of the first year. This is extremely important. A survey in 2022 showed that more than two-thirds of overweight respondents wrongly believed their weight to be just right. There is, as the government recognises, a need to change public perceptions.