At the First Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University's weight management clinic, a woman urgently sought help, saying, "Doctor, I used to weigh 100 pounds, but after having my second child, I now weigh 100 kg. What can I do to lose weight?"
Weight loss has become increasingly crucial not just for appearance but for health. The National Health Commission has launched a three-year "Weight Management Year" initiative, with a renewed call for nationwide weight loss efforts during this year's Two Sessions.
Many hospitals in Guangdong have already established weight management clinics, with some seeing over 1,000 patients in just three months, including individuals traveling from Hong Kong. "Obesity is linked to many health issues, and many people see improvements in their health after successfully losing weight," said Yang Jingge, the hospital's deputy director.
On March 19, the reporter visited the newly established "Obesity Metabolic Disease Comprehensive Treatment Center" at the hospital. Inside, two doctors and three nurses were attending to patients, many of whom were noticeably overweight. The clinic is equipped with height and weight scales and body composition analyzers and displays success stories of patients who have lost weight.
Multidisciplinary approach to weight loss
In the waiting area, a returning patient excitedly shared, "I've lost four pounds in just a week!"
Yang mentioned that the clinic has treated over 1,000 patients since its opening three months ago, with an uptick in visits following the Two Sessions.
The hospital has over 20 years of experience in scientific weight loss and has adopted a "multidisciplinary intervention" approach. Experts from endocrinology, nutrition, surgery, traditional Chinese medicine, and psychology collaborate to create personalized treatment plans.
"Many past weight loss methods were one-dimensional, relying solely on diet or exercise. In reality, individual differences are significant and require tailored solutions," Yang explained. For instance, some patients with metabolic issues may need medication and dietary adjustments, while those with emotional eating problems may require psychological intervention.
Online education and support
The rise in obesity cases among young people has prompted parents to bring their children to weight loss clinics. "The proportion of obese youth is increasing, influenced by diet, stress, and lifestyle," Yang noted. The growing number of patients reflects a significant societal demand for scientific weight management.
In addition to in-person consultations, many healthcare professionals are utilizing online platforms and short video apps to promote weight loss education. Yang has garnered 390,000 followers on Douyin (mainland version of TikTok), aiming to spread knowledge about effective weight loss methods.
Other hospitals in the Greater Bay Area have also established weight management clinics. Dr. Zhao Mingli from the Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University noted that their clinic's annual patient intake has increased from 300 to over 800 in four years. Meanwhile, Chen Yanming, deputy director of the Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, reported that their combined Western and traditional Chinese medicine approach has successfully helped thousands of patients lose weight.
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