LCQ1: Obesity in the population
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Question:
In 2018, the Government launched the "Towards 2025: Strategy and Action Plan to Prevent and Control Non-communicable Diseases in Hong Kong", setting out the targets for preventing and controlling non-communicable diseases to be achieved by 2025, which include "halting the rise in diabetes and obesity". However, according to the Department of Health's "Report of Population Health Survey 2020-2022", 22 per cent of the people in Hong Kong aged 15 to 84 are overweight and 32.6 per cent are obese, which is an increase as compared with the 2014-2015 data, indicating that obesity is on the rise. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:
(1) of the latest data relating to the obese population available to the Government, and the gap between such data and the target set in 2018; the frequency of surveys on the obese population in Hong Kong conducted by the Department of Health and the timing of the next survey;
(2) of the measures taken by the Government to halt the rise in obesity; whether it has reviewed the effectiveness of such measures and the reasons for their failure to effectively halt the rise in obesity; if so, of the details; if not, the reasons for that; and
(3) the National Health Commission launched a three-year "Weight Management Year" initiative last year, aiming to reduce the average annual increase in obesity rate by 10 per cent, of the measures put in place by the Government to tie in with the relevant policy?
Reply:
President,
Obesity is a global problem. According to data from the World Health Organization (WHO), the global prevalence of obesity has increased by more than doubled from 1990 to 2022, and the situation worsened during the COVID-19 epidemic. The Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region has all along been closely monitoring the obesity problem and launched the "Towards 2025: Strategy and Action Plan to Prevent and Control Non-communicable Diseases in Hong Kong" (SAP) in 2018 with a focus on non-communicable diseases (including obesity) and their common behavioural risk factors (such as unhealthy diet and physical inactivity), to comprehensively promote a healthy lifestyle.
In consultation with relevant bureaux and departments, my reply to the question raised by the Hon Chan Kin-por is as follows:
(1) The SAP has made reference to the WHO's "Global Action Plan for the Prevention and Control of Non-communicable Diseases 2013-2020", and one of the objectives is to halt the rise in diabetes and obesity among individuals aged 18 to 84, viz. ensuring that by 2025 or earlier, the prevalence rates do not increase compared to 2014-15.
The Department of Health (DH) conducts Population Health Survey (PHS) approximately every five years with Health Behaviour Survey (HBS) conducted in between as regular surveillance. The figures quoted by the Hon Chan Kin-por are from the latest PHS (i.e. conducted in 2020-22). The prevalence of overweight and obesity among people aged between 18 and 84 at that time was 51.3 per cent, which was higher than 47 per cent in 2014/15 (Note). However, that was during COVID-19 epidemic where there were significant changes in the living habits of our citizens, including lack of physical activities and having some unhealthy eating habits. The 2025/26 PHS is expected to be commenced in the third quarter this year with the findings expected to be available in end-2026. The Government will review the objectives and effectiveness of the SAP by referencing the relevant data.
In fact, we have noticed significant improvements in related situations post-COVID-19 epidemic, for example:
(i) The PHS 2020-22 showed that 24.8 per cent of individuals aged 18 or above performed an insufficient level of physical activity and that was during the COVID-19 epidemic, The relevant figure has already improved in the HBS 2023 to 14.8 per cent.
(ii) Data from the Student Health Service of the DH also showed that the problem of obesity and overweight among primary and secondary students showed significant improvement after the epidemic, with prevalence decreased from 21.2 per cent in the 2021/22 school year to 17.9 per cent in the 2023/24 school year, which was the lowest since the 2010/11 school year. Relevant statistics are at Annex.
(2) The fundamental cause of obesity is the amount of calories consumed from food and drinks exceeds the amount of calories expended in normal body functions and daily activities. Leading a healthy lifestyle, including managing diet and increase physical activities, is the key to reducing the risk of obesity. The DH has adopted a life-course and settings-based approach and implemented population-wide intervention measures and programmes, for example:
(i) Under the Whole School Health Programme, health reports are compiled for each participating school to recommend targeted school-based measures to improve physical activities and meals of primary and secondary students. Currently, over 800 schools have participated in the Programme, covering nearly 70 per cent of primary and secondary schools in Hong Kong.
(ii) The "Joyful@Healthy Workplace" programme promotes healthy eating, physical activities and mental health to employers and employees. Currently, over 3 400 organisations have participated in the programme, covering more than 820 000 employees.
(iii) The "EatSmart Restaurant Star+" campaign encourages restaurants to offer less salt, sugar and oil with more vegetables and fruit dishes to assist citizens in practicing healthy eating. Currently, over 1 300 restaurants have participated in the campaign.
(iv) The "10 000 Steps a Day" Campaign raises public awareness of the physical and mental health benefits of walking. Last year, about 10 000 citizens participated in the event we organised together with Shenzhen and Zhuhai.
As regards primary healthcare, the District Health Centres actively promote the Life Course Preventive Care Plan to establish healthy lifestyle patterns and raise self-health management awareness among citizens of different age groups. The newly established Women Wellness Satellites will also provide weight management health educational activities for women.
Other bureaux and departments are also committed to creating a favourable environment to encourage citizens to establish healthy lifestyles. Related efforts include:
(i) The Education Bureau launched the "Active Students, Active People" Campaign and the "MVPA60 Award Scheme" to encourage students to develop the habit of regular physical activity at an early stage.
(ii) The Environment and Ecology Bureau promotes sugar reduction. Its Committee on Reduction of Salt and Sugar in Food collaborates with various departments and the food and beverage industry, including the implementation of the "Salt/Sugar" Label Scheme for Prepackaged Food Products to help consumers identify "low-sugar" products.
(iii) The Leisure and Cultural Services Department offers diversified recreation and sports programmes to promote "Sport for All" culture in the community and at schools. It has been organising the Sport For All Day annually since 2009.
(3) Under the Framework of "one country, two systems", the Health Bureau maintains close contact with the National Health Commission (NHC). The aforementioned SAP is also aligned with the national health policy. The Government will continue to enhance public awareness of the importance of a healthy lifestyle with reference to the WHO's Global Action Plan for the Prevention and Control of Non-communicable Diseases and the multi-faceted weight management guidelines formulated by the NHC, actively collaborate with stakeholders and community partners to create a more health-conducive environment.
Thank you, President.
Note: Body mass index (BMI) is defined as weight (kilogram) divided by the square of height (metre). Its unit of measurement is kilogram/metre2 (kg/m2). Based on the definition of overweight and obesity for adults adopted in Hong Kong, a BMI from 23 to less than 25 is regarded as overweight, while a BMI of 25 or more is considered obese. Relevant prevalence is age-standardised prevalence.
Ends/Wednesday, July 9, 2025
Issued at HKT 14:45
Issued at HKT 14:45
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