This year has been declared the year of “weight management” nationwide, and weight management has become a trending topic.
What are the health hazards of obesity? Why is it said that “drinking water makes you gain weight”? Is being thinner always healthier?
With these questions in mind, we turn to Hou Zeling, an endocrinology specialist at Hainan Chengmei Hospital, to decipher the mysteries behind the numbers on the weighing scale.
Obesity Is Not Developed Overnight—but It Might End a Life in a Day
Every individual struggling with obesity carries a “time bomb” for health. Hou Zeling humorously remarks that in their field, there is a saying: “When your waist circumference exceeds your pant length, the death notice starts auto-formatting.”
She explains that obesity is not merely an aesthetic issue—it imposes a major burden on all of the body’s organs.
Obesity significantly increases the risk of cardiovascular diseases. Excess fat accumulation in the internal organs and on the vascular walls narrows the blood vessels, impeding blood flow, raising blood pressure, and increasing the heart’s workload. Statistics show that the probability of developing hypertension in obese individuals is 2 to 6 times higher than in those with normal weight.
Obesity is also a close companion to diabetes; approximately 80% to 90% of type 2 diabetes patients were overweight or obese before diagnosis. Obesity is closely related to fatty liver disease, sleep apnea syndrome, certain cancers, and many other conditions. In essence, the health hazards of obesity are multifaceted, seriously affecting quality of life and lifespan. Research indicates that obese individuals have a 2 to 3 times higher risk of cardiac sudden death and stroke compared to those of normal weight.
Hou Zeling warns that the numbers on the scale do not simply add up to pose a health risk; rather, the risk increases multiplicatively—a geometric escalation.
Why “Drinking Water Makes You Gain Weight”? The Likely Culprit…
While there are many causes of obesity, for those who find that “drinking water makes you gain weight,” the underlying culprit may be endocrine disruption!
Hou Zeling explains that the endocrine system regulates body metabolism, appetite, and energy storage by secreting hormones. When the endocrine system malfunctions, these functions may be impaired, leading to abnormal weight gain.
For example, hypothyroidism—characterized by reduced secretion of thyroid hormones—slows down metabolism, decreases energy expenditure, and promotes fat accumulation. There are also pathological forms of obesity, such as Cushing’s syndrome, which is caused by disorders of the pituitary or adrenal glands and results in abnormal weight gain.
Case: From “Greasy Uncle” to a Handsome Middle-Aged Man
She recalls treating a successful middle-aged patient weighing over 220 jin (approximately 110 kg) who had tried various weight-loss methods but only ended up gaining more weight. In the patient’s own words, “even taking weight-loss pills made me gain weight.” The diagnosis eventually pointed to endocrine disruption. After six months of treatment and dietary adjustments, the patient lost 60 jin (about 30 kg) and transformed from a “greasy uncle” into a handsome middle-aged man.
Weight Loss Is Not as Simple as “Starving for a Few Days”
The popular folk remedy for weight loss is: starve and purge.
Hou Zeling advises that losing weight is not as simple as “starving for a few days!”
First, a scientific assessment is needed to determine the source of obesity. If it is due to endocrine disorders or other medical conditions, one should seek diagnosis and treatment from professional healthcare institutions.
Second, it is important to have a rational relationship with calories and to balance the diet scientifically and reasonably. She recommends the “211 Diet Method”: for each meal, include 2 fists’ worth of vegetables, 1 palm-sized portion of protein, and 1 fist-sized serving of carbohydrates.
Third, combine work and rest—maintain a regular lifestyle, and engage in consistent exercise and physical activity to “burn your calories.”
Hou Zeling particularly cautions that many popular folk remedies and “internet celebrity weight-loss methods” can show rapid short-term results, but their hidden dangers are uncontrollable and may seriously harm both physical and mental health.
Case: The Unreliability of Folk Weight-Loss Remedies
She recounts a case involving a middle school student who, after using a folk remedy for just three months, dropped from 120 jin (around 60 kg) to 80 jin (about 40 kg). The student subsequently experienced amenorrhea, hair loss, memory decline, and difficulty concentrating—issues that severely affected both academic performance and physical growth.
Weight management is not about being as thin as possible, but rather achieving a normal weight through scientific methods.
Hou Zeling concludes that true weight management is an art form. Instead of obsessively stepping on the scale every day, it is better to get moving and control your diet.
Expert Profile
Hou Zeling
Attending Physician, Endocrinology Department
Medical Expertise:
Specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of common endocrine disorders, including diabetes and its complications; hyperthyroidism, hypothyroidism, thyroiditis; obesity, gouty arthritis, lipid metabolism disorders, electrolyte imbalances, and primary aldosteronism.
Clinic Hours:
Full days on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays; Tuesday afternoons
Written by: Liang Shan
Edited by: Huang Fei