China has seen the growth of weight-loss centers known online as “fat prisons,” where people with overweight or obesity undergo strict exercise routines, controlled diets and constant supervision in an effort to lose weight.
Programs can last about a month and cost around $1,000, including accommodation and meals. The facilities are surrounded by fences and large walls, and participants generally cannot leave during the program except under special or justified circumstances.
At one center, the day begins at 7:30 a.m. and includes weigh-ins, aerobics, weight training, high-intensity workouts and stationary cycling. Participants train for several hours a day and share rooms, while meals are measured and served on stainless-steel trays.
One participant, 23-year-old Yang Chiao, said she had lost nearly 30 kilograms after previously weighing 114 kilograms. She also described strict disciplinary measures, saying participants caught trying to leave could be punished with a five-kilometer run or burpees.
The popularity of these centers comes as China faces rising rates of overweight and obesity. The Chinese government launched a three-year campaign in 2024 to address the issue, while experts have warned about the risks associated with potentially dangerous diets and extreme exercise routines.
