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Aug 12

China's battle against obesity is moving beyond the scale and toward a broader vision of long-term health, according to experts gathered at the 2026 China Obesity Congress in Beijing, which ran from Friday to Sunday.

Ji Linong, executive president of the congress and professor at Peking University People's Hospital, gave a speech in which he summarized the findings of a report by the organization, saying that the effectiveness of obesity interventions should no longer be measured primarily by short-term weight reduction. Instead, metabolic improvements, better control of related comorbidities, cardiovascular and kidney protection, and adherence to treatment regimens are equally vital indicators of success.

Ji said that a paradigm shift began in 2021, when GLP-1 receptor agonists like semaglutide demonstrated average weight reductions of 15 percent along with clear cardiovascular advantages. No longer was obesity a matter of willpower, as the treatment proved to be a safe, long-term pharmaceutical option.

Ji went on to map the treatment's evolution, highlighting revised medical guidelines, newly opened specialized clinics, and investment. According to him, obesity care has transformed from a public health issue into one that could be addressed within a framework introduced during his speech called the Chronic Care Model, a new guide for physicians and medical professionals.

Yet despite these advances, his report identified six obstacles that continue to hinder obesity care in China. Many patients still misunderstand the nature of medical weight loss, often equating it with cosmetic slimming. Lifestyle interventions alone prove difficult to sustain, with most patients who rely solely on diet and exercise regaining lost weight within about four years. Social stigma remains deeply entrenched, fueling shame and depression and discouraging individuals from seeking professional help.

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Professor Ji Linong served as the Principal Investigator in China for Novo Nordisk's global FLOW study (evaluating semaglutide for chronic kidney disease) and led the PIONEER 11 and 12 trials for oral semaglutide in China.

China Obesity Congress signals policy shift to long-term GLP-1 care & announces Beijing as 2028 International Congress on Obesity host. Semaglutide leads brand awareness & NEML inclusion over Tirzepatide.