Meaningful figures

Many women, mostly driven by media and societal influences, are interested in losing weight even if they are not obese, according to research conducted by Huang Yingying and Pan Suiming, two professors with the Renmin University of China, who published their findings on Sex-study.org.

The university's Institute of Sexuality and Gender conducted surveys named Chinese People's Sexuality and Gender in 2000, 2006 and 2010, respectively. Subsequent data analysis revealed that reckless pursuit of weight loss has more to do with looking more attractive rather than taking care of one's health.

In addition, the number of women aged 18-29 who are keen on weight loss is four times that of those aged 50-61, twice that of those aged 40-49, and three times that of women aged 30-39.

The study shows that women with better education are more likely to follow diet fads. "This is because China's current schooling system is overly influenced by male-centric norms. A better education tends to make a woman more likely to conform to males' view of beauty rather than her own," Huang explained.

"Those women are more likely to be successful if they follow mainstream values and aesthetic standards," she added.

Women with less money care less about weight, thinking they would never ascend the social ladder as it is. Social interaction serves as another reason. Women who are less social are not so likely to lose weight or follow mainstream values. Based on the above analysis, weight loss is not simply a physical or medical phenomenon, but a social and cultural issue, reflecting the way society pressures women to fit a certain image to succeed at work and at home.

Health costs

Luckily, some argue that health is ultimately more important than beauty.

"My husband doesn't support me in losing weight. He always tells me I am not obese at all," said Qin Xiao, 26, who works for a Beijing insurance company.

"Many of my female colleagues complain that they are overweight and they are almost always on a diet," said Huang Xiaorui, a 32-year-old male, adding that, "In fact, men today tend to like those who are a little chubby."

"I'm actually trying to put on some weight, because we are planning to have a baby. Pregnancy can be more difficult for women who are too skinny," Qin said. According to medical experts, women's body fat should not fall below 17 percent. This figure is the minimum standard for successfully delivering and breastfeeding a baby.

Excessive weight loss can lead to other serious health problems such as baldness, memory loss, anemia, and osteoporosis. Experts say more women need to focus on overall health and not weight. Otherwise, they warn, the consequences are dire.

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