Survey finds 70 percent of Hong Kong residents unaware obesity is a chronic disease

A new survey has revealed that 70 percent of Hong Kong residents do not properly understand that obesity is a chronic and complex disease, a classification established by the World Health Organization (WHO).

The finding, from a study of 500 respondents conducted by the Hong Kong Obesity Alliance between May and June, highlights widespread misconceptions about the condition throughout the city.

The survey further found that nearly 40 percent of overweight individuals who have chronic diseases believe their conditions are unrelated to their obesity.

According to the survey, a significant gap exists between public perception and medical reality.

Among respondents with a Body Mass Index (BMI) over 25—which is categorized as obese—33 percent described themselves as only "slightly overweight." Conversely, over 70 percent of those with a BMI below 23, which is considered normal or underweight, mistakenly perceived themselves as obese.

The alliance emphasized the critical importance of multidisciplinary collaboration, policy support, and public education to help patients lead healthier lives.

It is urging all sectors of society to take obesity seriously and has called on the government to implement stronger policies to prevent obesity-related complications and reduce the burden on the healthcare system.