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CCDC Weekly RSS Feed2025 Vol. 7, No. 35
Obesity has emerged as a critical public health challenge worldwide and in China, substantially contributing to the burden of chronic diseases, including cancer. In response, China launched the “Weight Management Year” initiative in 2024, representing a strategic shift toward upstream interventions in chronic disease control. This perspective examines the essential role of obesity control in cancer prevention across the complete prevention continuum — primordial (zero-level), primary, secondary, and tertiary prevention. The initiative presents a unique opportunity to integrate weight management strategies into health promotion, early risk identification, screening programs, and post-diagnosis rehabilitation. It emphasizes incorporating obesity-related cancer prevention into routine healthcare through digital platforms, multidisciplinary collaboration, and population-wide education campaigns. However, significant challenges persist, including limited public awareness of obesity’s carcinogenic risks, insufficient integration between clinical and public health systems, and inadequate multi-sectoral cooperation. Moving forward, cancer prevention in China must transition from a reactive, screening-focused model to a proactive, life-course approach centered on behavioral and lifestyle interventions. Strengthening risk communication, institutionalizing weight management across all prevention levels, and fostering cross-sectoral collaboration are essential for building a sustainable, population-wide cancer prevention framework.
China has the world’s largest population of individuals who are overweight or obese, contributing to the growing burden of colorectal cancer (CRC). Screening is an effective strategy for reducing CRC mortality and incidence.
Using a simulation model, we found that CRC screening reduces incidence and mortality across all body mass index groups (normal, overweight, and obese) in China, with greater quality-adjusted life-year gains and 6%–14% higher colonoscopy efficiency in individuals who are overweight or obese. Screening proved to be more cost-effective for these groups, despite high lifetime healthcare expenditures.
CRC screening in China can prioritize populations with excess weight and incorporate weight management to improve health outcomes and control long-term healthcare costs.
Central obesity is a recognized risk factor for several types of cancers. However, most supporting evidence originates from Western populations and relies on single adiposity measurements, with limited longitudinal data available from China.
Drawing on data from more than 25,000 Chinese adults who each underwent 10 or more health check-ups over 14 years, this study demonstrated that waist-related indicators — particularly Body Mass Index -adjusted waist circumference (WCadjBMI) and waist-to-hip ratio (WHRadjBMI) — and their inverted U-shaped trajectories are more strongly associated with cancer risk than BMI alone, especially in men and adults aged 50 years and above.
Tracking changes in waist-related fat measures over time may help identify cancer risk earlier than BMI monitoring alone. Integrating central obesity measures into routine screening could improve targeted cancer prevention, particularly for the older and male populations, and advance the goals of Healthy China 2030.
Obesity has emerged as a critical public health challenge in China, with prevalence rates rising steadily across all age groups and threatening both long-term health outcomes and economic sustainability. This study examines China’s current obesity prevention and control landscape, comparing it with international practices to provide evidence-based recommendations for strengthening national strategies.
Between July and October 2023, we conducted a comprehensive literature review and engaged 19 experts (9 from China; 10 from the United States (US), Japan, the United Kingdom (UK), and Spain) through purposive, criterion-based sampling. We collected data using a semi-structured questionnaire covering personal information, obesity-related policies and service status, and recommendations for China. Quantitative data underwent descriptive analysis, while qualitative data were examined using thematic analysis.
Experts identified persistent barriers in China’s obesity control efforts, including fragmented policies, insufficient public awareness, suboptimal service quality, and limited healthcare facilities. Compared with high-income countries, China’s approach lacks robust regulatory frameworks and effective multisectoral coordination mechanisms.
These findings underscore the urgent need for China to strengthen evidence-based, integrated approaches to obesity prevention and management. Adapting successful international experiences to local contexts will be essential for enhancing national obesity control efforts and advancing the Healthy China initiative goals.