Heavy price to pay

Zhang Ran, a schoolboy from Changchun, capital of Jilin province, is only 13 years old and 1.1 meters tall but already weighs more than 60 kg (about 133 pounds).

"Before he arrived for treatment, his parents said Zhang used to drink a 2.5-liter bottle of cola every day and rarely drank any water," said Ge.

Although the boy ate three large meals a day, he often complained of being hungry and snacked constantly, Ge explained. "At first his parents thought his massive appetite was a good sign but became concerned about his health when his weight ballooned."

Obesity raises the levels of sugar, fat and pressure in the blood, and when Zhang was finally referred to Beijing Ruijing Diabetes Hospital in 2008, tests showed his blood-sugar level was 8.5 mmol/L. He was diagnosed with Type II diabetes.

After receiving treatment, which included a strict diet and plenty of exercise, the patient's condition was brought under control. He has since lost weight and returned to his studies, said Ge.

"We learned a very important lesson," said the boy's father Zhang Shuang. "Before, we simply thought that if we gave him everything he wanted we were showing our love. Now we realize we were totally wrong."

With China's one-child policy, parents often dote on their children and cater to their every whim, said Ge. "They need to ask themselves, Is this good for my child's health?"

In Beijing alone, almost 20 percent of primary and middle school pupils are overweight, according to a recent report by the municipal government. Figures from its health bureau also show the rate of pre-diabetes (those with early symptoms) among 10 to 18 year olds in the capital has hit a high of more than 3 percent. The trend is slowly becoming more common across the country, which Ge believes shows "most Chinese still do not have a concept of how to eat healthily and get the right nutrition".

"We still have a long way to go in promoting and educating people about healthy eating," he said.

Ge also called on the government to enhance its inspections of food products - especially those targeted at children -- to better control the use of additives.

"As there are more child diabetics, more hospitals should also establish special departments to carry out systemic checks and try to diagnose as many cases as early as possible," he added.