A common way to reduce weight is exercising in gyms to burn off the excess calories. But being surrounded by all the slim figures in the room can make working out in public challenging.
Instead some try diets and pills. But without a strong will, the temptation of food is often too difficult to deny.
Wang Yu decided to give acupuncture a try. According to Chinese traditional medicine, the needles help the body regain its balance. In the case of obesity, this results in weight loss. Another advantage all the patient needs to do, is just to lie down.
But Doctor Pan Shanying says acupuncture is a lot of work. It will only be effective if the patient is willing to maintain a healthy diet.
Acupuncture doctor Pan Shanying said, "There are more and more obese patients. We're so busy. Now if I see the patient who is not going to be cooperative, I just turn them away. I don't want to waste my time. "
Some doctors say treating obesity is not curing a disease, but changing the patient's attitude towards life. Fast food, late partying, irregular work and rest patterns, these are all factors that cause gaining of weight.
Hu Chengdong, nutritionist of Longtai TCM Clinic, said, "In China there are over 40 million obesity related patients. Obesity brings on a lot of health problems, such as diabetes, high blood pressure, and fatty liver. These problems are increasingly impacting people's lives."
According to studies, more than one quarter of Chinese adults are considered obese. The number of overweight children and teenagers is also growing. Health experts say that unless the issue is addressed properly, the rate could double in twenty years.
(CCTV November 7, 2008)
