Globalisation and globesity: the impact of the 2008 Beijing Olympics on China

Westernised countries are currently in the midst of an obesity epidemic, and developing nations such as China are already showing signs of a similar crisis. We contend that additional increases in caloric intake and declines in physical activity within the Chinese population are likely the consequences of marketing leverage created by sponsors of the 2008 Olympics. Many of the Olympic sponsors are directly involved in high-calorie foods or low physical activity. These are mainly in the form of calorie-dense beverages (e.g., Coca-Cola) and foods, and sedentary activities such as television viewing and motorised transport. In this essay, we argue that rather than representing the pinnacle of health and activity, the 2008 Olympics will serve to accelerate the opportunities for massive multinational globalisation. A consequence of this will be an increase in the mortality, morbidity and disability attributed to the major noncommunicable diseases for the Chinese population.