Obesity epidemic in spotlight as CrossFit documentary showcases sport’s rise in China and Asia
- The fringe sport is creating pockets of followers in cities across the continent, from Shanghai and Hanoi to Seoul and here in Hong Kong
World Health Organisation statistics estimate close to two billion adults across the planet are overweight, and as many as 650 million are obese. The trend is a growing one as obesity rates have almost tripled since 1975, straining health care systems and economies across the globe.
One of the more troublesome areas lies close to home, as WHO estimates almost half of the children in the world who are either overweight or obese live in Asia.
He’s now released a documentary online, Out of the Box, and said despite the statistics, he saw a different story when it comes to the area’s youth.
“The younger generation in the Southeast Asian countries get it,” said Tripuraneni, who is also a CrossFit trainer. “It's heartening and encouraging seeing them take care of their health and not conform to the social standards that's caused the obesity epidemic.”