A Chinese woman gained 20kg from work stress but transformed notably after quitting her job. - Photo: SCMP composite/Xiaohongshu
BEIJING (SCMP): A Chinese woman stated that she gained 20kg in one year due to work-related stress, sparking renewed online discussions about “overwork obesity”, a term that describes weight gain resulting from work-related tension.
In China, “overwork obesity” is frequently attributed to job pressure, long working hours, or an irregular lifestyle.
Ouyang Wenjing, a 24-year-old woman from southern China’s Guangdong province, said on her Xiaohongshu account that her weight increased from 60kg to 80kg after working for one year.
The woman did not specify her workplace or the nature of her job, but she shared with the mainland news outlet Star Video that her job had become a “disaster” for her physical and mental health. She mentioned that she quit her job in June and is now “feeling much better.”
Ouyang Wenjing, 24, gained 20kg in a year due to work pressure, irregular shifts, and an unhealthy diet, reaching 80kg. - Photo: Weibo
Ouyang said she often worked overtime, had irregular shifts, and ordered food delivery for all her meals.
She shared that she weighed 105kg in secondary school before losing 45kg in the next four years. She said that her recent job had sabotaged those weight loss efforts, and she had started to gain the weight back.
Ouyang now works as a freelance weight loss influencer with 41,000 followers on Xiaohongshu. She adjusted her diet to lower oils and sugars, focusing on balanced meals with vegetables, grains, and proteins. She lost 6kg in one month after these changes.
Ouyang’s experience resonated with many people who also shared their experiences with “overwork obesity”.
A 33-year-old woman who worked at a tech company in Shanghai said she gained 3kg in two months due to work-related pressure, which she said led her to “overindulge in desserts”.
“All my willpower was used at work, so I had none left for my life,” she said on Xiaohongshu.
Ouyang, a weight loss influencer with 41,000 Xiaohongshu followers, lost 6kg in a month by eliminating oils and sugars. - Photo: Weibo
Despite China’s labour laws stating that employees should not exceed 40 hours of work per week, many companies frequently overlook these regulations.
The prevalent “996” work culture – working from 9am to 9pm, six days a week – continues to be widespread in mainland tech firms. On the online forum Douban, members of a “workaholic” group noted that it is rare to find jobs that offer a two-day weekly break.
Zuo Xiaoxia, a doctor at the Nutrition Department of the People’s Liberation Army No 309 Hospital told Chinese media Health Times that late dinners, overeating, and a lack of sleep are the reasons behind “overwork obesity”.
She suggested that people eat more vegetables and less meat and try not to let their work interrupt their regular eating time. She also suggested exercise to stay fit. - South China Morning Post
