From an overweight medical worker to a prize-winning bodybuilder, a Chinese doctor in Wuhan has shown how perseverance and a healthy physical exercise routine can pay off in an inspirational way.
Wu Tiangen, a 31-year-old doctor at the Center for Obesity and Metabolic Diseases in the Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery Division at Wuhan University's Zhongnan Hospital, specializes in treating patients with obesity and obesity-related metabolic diseases. He also tailors treatment plans based on each patient's specific needs.
"I perform surgeries on Monday, Wednesday and Friday every week, with around four to five procedures each day. On Tuesday and Thursday when I don't do surgeries, I make the rounds of the wards and do some related administrative work," Wu said.
Despite his professional expertise in weight loss, Wu had struggled with his own weight which at one point reached nearly 100 kilograms.
Obesity not only caused him physical discomfort but also left him feel unqualified as a doctor when interacting with his patients.
After making up his mind about losing weight, Wu set himself an ambitious goal -- he signed himself up for a bodybuilding competition, aiming to shed pounds as quickly as possible.
Through 42 days of rigorous training, Wu, who stands at 1.82 meters, managed to reduce his weight from 97.5 kilograms to 73.5 kilograms. In the bodybuilding competition in January this year, he won four titles, which was quite an impressive accomplishment.
"Through this competition and preparation process, I saw the best version of myself I had never known. Every time I looked in the mirror, I would be amazed by my great shape, high spirits and rippled body, all of which the best I could think of. I felt such positive energy that it has driven me to keep building my body and give myself even better looks," Wu shared.
Outside his busy 10-plus-hour work days, Wu has stuck to his workout routines and healthy lifestyle, aiming to maintain a good shape as best as he can.
Wu's tale is among many other successful stories of people in China who have taken a weight-losing journey in pursuit of a healthier life.
China is now facing a growing obesity challenge. According to a 2020 report from the National Health Commission (NHC), 34.3 percent of the country's adults were overweight, and 16.4 percent were obese. Research predicts that by 2030, the rates of overweight and obesity among Chinese adults could rise to 65.3 percent.
Minors are also increasingly affected by weight issues. Currently, approximately 19 percent of individuals aged 6 to 17, and 10.4 percent of children under 6, are overweight or obese.
In response, the NHC has announced plans to establish more weight management clinics at medical and health facilities, aiming to help people lose weight safely and adopt healthier lifestyles.
A doctor's inspirational journey from being overweight to prize-winning bodybuilder
A doctor's inspirational journey from being overweight to prize-winning bodybuilder
A doctor's inspirational journey from being overweight to prize-winning bodybuilder
The Boao Forum for Asia (BFA) has become more indispensable than ever in today's fast-evolving global landscape, according to Tan Kong Yam, an Emeritus Professor of Economics with the School of Social Sciences, Singapore's Nanyang Technological University.
The Boao Forum for Asia 2025 Annual Conference opened on Tuesday in the town of Boao in south China's Hainan Province.
With the theme "Asia in the Changing World: Towards a Shared Future", the four-day forum has attracted nearly 2,000 attendees from more than 60 countries and regions to participate in more than 50 events and many bilateral events, according to the press conference.
"We are currently living through an era of profound global changes, marked by rising geopolitical tension, economic fragmentation, the climate crisis and disruptive technological shift all occurring simultaneously. In such a complex environment, dialog platforms like the Boao Forum for Asia has not diminished in importance, rather they have become even more indispensable than ever before," said Tan.
The BFA provides a distinctive Asian perspective for improving global governance, as well as more opportunities for developing countries and Global South countries to voice their opinions, said Tan.
"Boao has a unique positioning as a high-level dialog platform. Centered on Asia, Boao distinguishes itself from other international forums typically dominated by the West. It provides a valuable opportunity for developing countries, especially those in Asia and the Global South, to make their voices heard. Boao Forum is critical for promoting regional cooperation, especially in key areas such as infrastructure, trade, green development and the digital economy. The forum is a platform for soft power. In an increasingly multi-polar world, Boao helps build trust through dialogs," he said.
Tan also highlighted that Chinese economy shows remarkable resilience, marked by advancements across various sectors, including artificial intelligence.
"The overall outlook for China's economy continues to show strong resilience. Key sectors such as the advanced manufacturing, artificial intelligence, semiconductors and clean energy are receiving robust policy support. The roll-out of the digital renminbi and the development of smart logistics also indicate that China is actively positioning itself for future economic trends. In recent years, China's progress in the field of artificial intelligence has been remarkable. A particular note is the breakthrough achieved by DeepSeek, which stands as a concentrated expression of China's innovation capacity in AI. It is a result of the synergy between China's national technology strategy, vast market scale, institutional advantages and global outreach. It not only signals China's growing global competitiveness in AI, but also position China as a potential driver of the next global productivity revolution," he said.
The BFA was founded in 2001 and offers a platform for dialogue between leaders from government, business, academia and other organizations to discuss economic, social and environmental issues, promote economic cooperation and support the sustainable development of Asia's economy.
Boao Forum more indispensable in current rapidly-changing world: economist
