• Thousands seek meat rewards as Chinese weight loss campaign sparks online debate

Chinese authorities in an eastern province have launched an unconventional weight loss initiative under the slogan "Meat for Fat," drawing widespread attention on social media.

Reports indicate that over 2,400 people signed up within three days of the campaign’s launch in March, with many expressing eagerness to relocate to the community in order to participate.

Participants must meet eligibility criteria, including being employed, paying local social or medical insurance, having a body mass index above 23, and a waist measurement exceeding 80 cm for women and 90 cm for men.

Measurements were taken between March 23 and 27, with a file created for each participant to track progress.

The initiative rewards participants with meat according to weight lost: losing half a kilogram earns half a kilogram of beef or 1.5 kilograms of ox bones, one kilogram lost earns half a kilogram of ox tail, 1.5 kilograms lost earns half a kilogram of ox offal, and two kilograms lost is exchanged for half a kilogram of ox tongue. The maximum weight eligible for rewards is 10 kilograms, and participants are urged to follow safe weight loss methods.

Authorities warned against dangerous practices like vomiting or unsafe pills, stressing that any health complications arising from such methods would be the individual’s responsibility.

The campaign reflects the Chinese government’s focus on controlling obesity rates among its population.

"Meat for Fat" has sparked massive online discussion, accumulating 65 million views on social media and becoming one of the country’s most controversial health initiatives in recent months.