Story perspectives

Chinese Youth Record Largest Height Gains, BMI Rises

7/11/2026

Summary

Chinese Youth Grow

From 1985 to 2019, 19-year-old Chinese men grew 4.79% (?8 cm), the largest height gain among 200 countries.
In the same span, 19-year-old Chinese women increased 3.85% in height, the third-largest global rise.
By 2019 the average heights were 175.66 cm for men and 163.46 cm for women.
Average BMI rose to 23.03 for men (15.75%) and 22.19 for women (8.96%), moving Chinese youth toward French and South Korean levels.

Summary

Chinese Youth Obesity

In 2023, 6.41% of 19-year-old Chinese men and 2.87% of women were obese, up from 0.08% and 0.04% in 1985.
Health officials warn obesity sharply raises heart disease, diabetes and other serious risks, matching the World Health Organization (WHO)’s child overweight surge.
Researchers label the rise “one of the most serious public health challenges of the 21st century,” noting BMI stays healthy but a small, fast-growing segment now faces obesity-related threats.

Summary

China Tackles Obesity

A Lancet study by Peking University links China’s rise to the second-largest economy with a sharp rise in obesity among rural children and adolescents.
Researchers call for policies beyond growth, urging healthier diets, more activity and a nutrition plan to narrow the urban-rural height gap and curb youth obesity.
Healthy China 2030 aims to boost health-care quality, health-science innovation and close urban-rural health gaps by 2030, reflecting recent lifestyle-promotion measures.

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Chinese Youth Grow

From 1985 to 2019, 19-year-old Chinese men grew 4.79% (?8 cm), the largest height gain among 200 countries.
In the same span, 19-year-old Chinese women increased 3.85% in height, the third-largest global rise.
By 2019 the average heights were 175.66 cm for men and 163.46 cm for women.
Average BMI rose to 23.03 for men (15.75%) and 22.19 for women (8.96%), moving Chinese youth toward French and South Korean levels.

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