How obesity and overweight affect the carbon footprint of China's healthcare: A dire situation calling for urgent action

Abstract

Excessive food intake is significantly contributing to the rising rates of obesity and overweight in China, creating substantial financial and environmental challenges for the healthcare system. This study employs a cost of illness method combined with environmentally extended input-output analysis to assess the carbon footprint associated with obesity and overweight within China's healthcare sector. In 2020, healthcare expenditures related to obesity and overweight reached approximately 324.7 billion Chinese Yuan (CNY), resulting in emissions of 31.5 Mt. CO₂e, which accounted for around 4.5 % of the total greenhouse gas emissions from the national healthcare sector. These emissions nearly negate the progress made in reducing greenhouse gas emissions in China's service sectors. The carbon intensity of the healthcare sector related to obesity and overweight is higher than that of the general medical sector, emphasizing the urgent need for more targeted and effective intervention measures. This study represents an initial effort to quantify the healthcare carbon footprint related to obesity and overweight, providing crucial insights into the potential resource and environmental savings achievable by addressing these issues. It highlights the necessity of understanding of the impact correlated to overweight and obesity, offering valuable perspectives for tackling the global challenges of obesity and climate change.