‘Fat for beef’: China local drive rewards residents with 0.5kg of meat for same amount of weight lost

The authorities in a grass-roots community in eastern China have trended on social media for its “redundant flesh in exchange for beef” weight-loss initiative targeting local residents.Since the Shanbei Community in Liangxi District, Wuxi, Jiangsu province, launched the creative health campaign on social media on March 9, more than 2,400 people applied to take part within three days, according to the news website The Paper.Internet users have shown immense interest in the move, with many people living elsewhere saying they would like to move to the community.Hanging beef for sale at a market in China. Hundreds of people have signed up for the initiative. Photo: Getty ImagesAccording to the “weight-losing health challenge event” organised by the Shanbei Community, only employees who pay their social security or medical insurance in the region can apply to join.Applicants must be at least “slightly chubby” with a body mass index (BMI) higher than 23. Also, women must have a waist measurement of more than 80cm while men’s waistline has to be 90cm or more.They can apply by March 20 and have their weight measured at a designated venue during the period between March 23 and March 27. The authorities will build a dossier for each applicant, the poster said.Applicants can try to lose weight from then on and check their new weight with the authority between January 1 and January 10 of next year.Young Chinese people exercise at a gym in a bid to shed weight and build muscle. Photo: Shutterstock