SHENYANG — When Wang Zhucen joined the first weight management course at Dalian University of Technology in the northeastern city of Dalian, he wasn’t sure what to expect. But after 21 days of regular workouts, he lost 6.3 kilograms.
“This shows my effort paid off,” Wang said. “I felt happier after sweating with my classmates every day for an hour.”
Dalian University of Technology is one of many universities across China taking steps to fight rising obesity, especially among young people.
Students at the university can choose between a 21-day intensive weight management program or a full-semester course. The program includes fitness training, nutrition advice, and mental health support.
According to students, the course helps build healthy habits, improves fitness, and boosts confidence. In the first intensive session, 33 students lost a combined total of 133 kilograms. Many also saw better blood pressure readings and stronger mental well-being.
From low-calorie meals in dining halls to health clinics and weight loss contests, more Chinese universities are launching programs to help students control their weight and live healthier lives.
Recently, South China Agricultural University in Guangzhou held its first weight management competition. Students completed physical tasks such as carrying sacks of grain on unicycles and crossing obstacle courses with shoulder poles. Each participant got a health record to track progress. The event is part of the university’s effort to offer full health support.
Graduate student Shi Shengjun joined the competition to begin addressing his weight issues. “I used to avoid people because I was anxious about how I looked,” Shi said. “Now I want to change, with support from a scientific system and my peers.”
The university plans to check students’ weight again next year and reward those who reach their goals.
In Chengdu, Sichuan University recently opened a lifestyle clinic to meet the strong demand from students and teachers for scientific weight loss support.
The clinic began after a campus survey found that many first-year students skipped breakfast, slept poorly, and rarely exercised, according to Su Qiaoli, vice president of Sichuan University Hospital.
Unlike traditional medical services, the clinic focuses on prevention. It promotes balanced diets, regular exercise, enough sleep, and stress control. The aim is to lower the risk of long-term health problems like high blood pressure and diabetes. “We want to take action before these diseases appear,” Su said.
Sichuan University also offers a class called “Weight Control Theory and Practice.” The course introduces students to various fitness activities, such as water aerobics, water trampolining, and aqua cycling.
“Most of our students want to lose weight,” said Han Haijun, deputy dean of the university’s Physical Education College. “Our goal is to help them build habits that last a lifetime.”
These efforts reflect a broader national push for weight control. In June 2024, China launched a three-year campaign to reduce obesity rates and promote healthy living.
In 2018, the National Health Commission reported that 34.3% of Chinese adults were overweight, and 16.4% were obese. Research warned that if nothing changed, 70.5% of adults in China could be overweight or obese by 2030.
“To manage weight, we must teach students to exercise properly and eat healthy food daily,” said Chang Bo, a professor at Zhuhai College of Science and Technology. “Students also need self-discipline to improve their health and lifestyle.”
