What is obesity in Hong Kong

By Isabella Storyclaire

last updated September 16, 2024

Contributions sourced from

Obesity

26 April 2023

Introduction

The Body Mass Index (BMI) is one of the methods for measuring overweight and obesity. It is calculated by dividing the body weight (in kg) by the square of height (in m): kg/m². For Chinese adults living in Hong Kong, BMI from 23.0 to less than 25.0 kg/m² is classified as overweight and BMI 25.0 kg/m² or above is classified as obese.

Obesity increases the risk for a number of chronic diseases, such as hypertension, heart diseases, hypercholesterolaemia, diabetes mellitus, cerebrovascular disease, gall bladder disease, osteoarthritis, sleep apnoea and some types of cancer (breast, prostate, colorectal and endometrial).

Situation in Hong Kong

According to the Population Health Survey (PHS) 2020-22 conducted by the Department of Health, 32.6% (26.4% of females and 39.4% of males) of persons aged 15-84 were obese (i.e. BMI 25.0 kg/m²) and another 22.0% (19.7% of females and 24.6% of males) were overweight (i.e. 23.0 kg/m² BMI < 25.0 kg/m²). Obesity and overweight were most common among females aged 65-84 (57.0%) and among males aged 45-54 (74.6%).

Prevention

A balanced diet and regular physical activity are the proven ways to achieve and maintain an ideal body weight.

Related information

You may browse the "Change for Health" website for further advice on physical activity, healthy diet and common killer diseases associated with obesity.

Hong Kong

Contextual factors

Disclaimer: These contextual factors should be interpreted with care. Results are updated as regularly as possible and use very specific criteria. The criteria used and full definitions are available for download at the bottom of this page.

Tap on a tick to find out more about policies influencing this factor.

Labelling

Is there mandatory nutrition labelling?	Present
Front-of-package labelling?	Unknown
Back-of-pack nutrition declaration?	Unknown
Color coding?	Absent
Warning label?	Absent

Regulation and marketing

Are there fiscal policies on unhealthy products?	Absent
Tax on unhealthy foods?	Absent
Tax on unhealthy drinks?	Absent

Are there fiscal policies on healthy products?	Absent
Subsidy on fruits?	Absent
Subsidy on vegetables?	Absent
Subsidy on other healthy products?	Absent

Mandatory limit or ban of trans fat (all settings)?	Absent
Mandatory limit of trans fats in place (all settings)?	Absent
Ban on trans-fats or phos in place (all settings)?	Absent

Are there any mandatory policies/marketing restrictions on the promotion of unhealthy food/drinks to children?	Absent
Mandatory restriction on broadcast media?	Absent
Mandatory restriction on non-broadcast media?	Absent
Voluntary policies/marketing restrictions on the promotion of unhealthy food/drinks to children?	Absent

Are there mandatory standards for food in schools?	Present-(voluntary)

Are there any mandatory nutrient limits in any manufactured food products?	Absent

Nutrition standards for public sector procurement?	Absent

Political will and support

National obesity strategy or nutrition and physical activity national strategy?	Absent
National obesity strategy?	Absent
National childhood obesity strategy?	Absent
Comprehensive nutrition strategy?	Absent
Comprehensive physical activity strategy?	Present

Evidence-based dietary guidelines and/or RDAs?	Present

National target(s) on reducing obesity?	Absent

Guidelines/policy on obesity treatment?	Absent

Promotion of breastfeeding?	Absent

Monitoring and surveillance

Monitoring of the prevalence and incidence for the main obesity-related NCDs and risk factors?	Present
Within 5 years?	Absent

Governance and resource

Multi-sectoral national co-ordination mechanism for obesity or nutrition (including obesity)?	Absent

Key

Present

Present (voluntary)

Incoming

Absent

Unknown

Last updated November 27, 2022

See more policies here

Download contextual factors as a PDF Contextual factors definitions

Executive Committee

The objectives for which the Association is established are:

To focus attention and stimulate the study of obesity in Hong Kong including its causes, manifestations and prevention.
To provide an independent body of healthcare professionals involved in both basic and applied research into the subject.
To encourage research into all facets and prevention of obesity.
To provide a better understanding of obesity to healthcare professionals and to general public.
To seek affiliation with international bodies to ensure the best possible exchange of information about the study of the epidemiological, metabolic, nutritional, pharmacological, surgical, behavioural and educational aspects of obesity and its treatment.

Association between sleeping hours, working hours and obesity in Hong Kong Chinese: the better health for better Hong Kong health promotion campaign

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Obesity, albuminuria and hypertension among Hong Kong Chinese with non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM)

Abstract

A total of 412 Hong Kong Chinese diabetic patients were studied on at least two occasions 8-16 weeks apart. Although 28% were insulin-treated, only 3.6% had insulin-dependent diabetes (IDDM). In the remaining 397 patients with non-insulin-dependent diabetes (NIDDM), the mean (s.d.) body mass index (BMI) was 24.4 +/- 3.2 kg/m2 in females and 24.2 +/- 3.2 kg/m2 in males. Obesity was present in 17% of males (BMI > 27 kg/m2) and 40% of females (BMI > 25 kg/m2). Established hypertension was present in 49%. Abnormal albuminuria, defined as a mean urinary albumin/creatinine (UA/Cr) ratio greater than 5.4 mg/mmol based on two random spot urine samples, was present in 47%. On stepwise multiple regression analysis, UA/Cr ratio (R2 = 0.34, F = 65.4, P < 0.001) showed significant associations with systolic blood pressure (standardized regression coefficient beta = 0.40, P < 0.001), plasma creatinine concentration (beta = 0.27, P < 0.001) and glycosylated haemoglobin (beta = 0.20, P < 0.001). While the prevalence of hypertension increased with increasing severity of proteinuria, 40% of normoalbuminuric patients had hypertension. Among patients diagnosed before the age of 35 (n = 67), 52% were insulin-treated although only 10% were insulin-dependent. Among these NIDDM patients of young onset (n = 59), obesity was present in 25% of males and 56% of females. Overall, 18% of these patients had a blood pressure greater than 140/90 mmHg and 27% had abnormal albuminuria. In Hong Kong Chinese, diabetes mellitus is predominantly non-insulin-dependent even in the young. Obesity is more prevalent among females. Abnormal albuminuria is relatively common and is closely associated with hypertension and glycaemic control. In the light of increasing prevalence of diabetes among overseas Chinese, our findings may have important implications in the management of Chinese diabetic patients.