China's 'Fat Prisons': Extreme Weight Loss Camps Spark Debate, India Faces Similar Crisis
Explainers
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News18•10-01-2026, 10:13
China's 'Fat Prisons': Extreme Weight Loss Camps Spark Debate, India Faces Similar Crisis
- •China's 'fat prisons' are military-style boot camps for rapid weight loss, involving strict diets, intense exercise, and constant surveillance.
- •Obesity rates in China have quadrupled among children since 2000, with over half of adults now overweight, prompting a government-led health emergency response.
- •These camps offer a structured, disciplined environment, relieving participants of decision-making regarding food and exercise, with costs around $1,500 for a month.
- •Days include early roll calls, restricted phones, multiple supervised exercise sessions, and traditional Chinese meals with controlled portions.
- •India faces a similar, rapidly rising obesity crisis, with projections of over 440 million overweight or obese adults by 2050, highlighting the need for systemic action.
Why It Matters: China's extreme 'fat prisons' highlight a national obesity crisis, prompting India to consider systemic interventions.
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