3 months ago
16
A Chinese woman gained 20kg due to
work-related stress
raising concerns about “overwork obesity,” a term used to describe
weight gain
resulting from job-induced tension.
Ouyang Wenjing, a 24-year-old from Guangdong province, revealed on the Chinese social media
Xiaohongshu
that she gained 20kg over the past year, increasing her weight from 60kg to 80kg, as per South China Morning Post.
The former employee described her job as a “disaster” for her physical and mental health. She cited long hours, irregular shifts, and constant food delivery as contributing factors. Ouyang, who quit her job in June, has since seen improvements in her well-being.
Her weight gain followed a substantial loss in secondary school, where she had previously weighed 105kg before losing 45kg in four years. She now works as a freelance
weight loss
influencer with 41,000 followers on Xiaohongshu.
Ouyang lost 6kg in one month by adjusting her diet to include more vegetables, grains, and proteins.
Ouyang’s experience resonates with many others in China. A 33-year-old Shanghai tech worker shared on Xiaohongshu that work pressure led her to gain 3kg in two months due to overeating desserts. “All my willpower was used at work, so I had none left for my life,” she said.
Despite China’s labour laws limiting work to 40 hours per week, many companies ignore these regulations. The “996” work culture—working from 9am to 9pm, six days a week—is still prevalent, especially in the tech industry.
Dr Zuo Xiaoxia from the Nutrition Department of the People’s Liberation Army No 309 Hospital told Health Times that late dinners, overeating, and lack of sleep contribute to “overwork obesity.” She advised consuming more vegetables, less meat, maintaining regular eating times, and incorporating exercise in daily life to stay healthy.
