The World Obesity Federation has predicted that Chinese youth will top the world in obesity by 2025. Obese children in China aged 5 to 18 will reach over 48 million by 2025, a number that surpasses the population of Spain. In 2013, China ranked 8th in the world's top 20 countries with the fastest growing childhood obesity rate.

Researchers found in rural areas of East China's Shandong Province that 17 percent of boys and 9 percent of girls between 7 and 18 were obese in 2014, up from less than 1 percent for each in 1985.

Inactivity and consumption of junk food contribute to the growing number of obese children in China. As a result, millions of them are estimated to suffer from diseases such as fatty liver, diabetes and high blood pressure. The State Council released guidelines in 2011 as a responce, urging local authorities to strengthen the training of pediatric medical staff and promote the notion of a balanced diet among parents and guardians.