Hong Kong, 11 March 2026: Burger King in the US once tried launching “Satisfries”, cooked in a special batter which meant they had 40% less fat than the ones in rival McDonald’s. Customers would savour this healthier option and swallow the slightly higher price, it was thought. Wrong! The new “saddest fries” – as unhappy diners dubbed them – simply weren’t as yummy and sales tanked, causing Burger King to scrap the idea within a year. The lesson? People will eat unhealthy food if it tastes nice.
Something, then, for the Hong Kong authorities to – ahem – digest as they try to change our city’s eating habits. As well, they want residents to exercise more, become weight-conscious and lead healthier lifestyles. These and other measures are outlined in the government’s first ever Action Plan on Weight Management, a three-year project to combat the collective flab.
Half this city’s population is overweight or obese, latest figures show, an alarming rise from 2004 when it was roughly one in three people. Two-thirds of citizens who are too heavy are unaware of it, while 40% have made no effort to manage their weight in the previous 12 months. “Weight management is not blindly losing weight, but finding a balance in diet and exercise,” insists Centre for Health Protection controller Dr Edwin Tsui, launching the campaign. Over half this city’s chronic diseases are related to obesity, notes his colleague Dr Anne Chee, who believes individual willpower and clinical care alone will not solve the crisis.
The project will focus first on public awareness of obesity – a major risk factor for chronic illnesses and 13 types of cancer, we are told – before promoting lifestyle change and making weight management a part of people’s daily lives. Health chiefs will work with counterparts in leisure and cultural services, environment and planning to co-ordinate the plan. We can expect more fitness equipment in housing estates, additional cycling tracks and jogging trails, and wider public education. Spending too much time at your desk? Firms that sign a charter promoting healthy working practices will receive a free set of weighing scales. True.
Not mentioned in the action plan – but certainly on the authorities’ radar – is the increasing popularity of weight-loss drugs, especially the GLP-1 injectable variety championed by various American celebrities. These products are indeed “revolutionary”, observes Hong Kong Association for the Study of Obesity president Dr Francis Chow, while warning about unlicensed use and counterfeit versions. GLP-1 drugs can only be sold in pharmacies and require a prescription, but seem readily available online. There are heavy penalties for illicit possession and use.
So far, so good. We can exercise, educate and even inject ourselves out of this weight woe, but what about diet? This is a global challenge. Obesity has skyrocketed among children and adolescents bombarded by “unethical” marketing of junk food, warns UNICEF. “Ultra-processed food is increasingly replacing fruits, vegetables and protein at a time when nutrition plays a critical role in children’s growth, cognitive development and mental health,” notes organisation chief Catherine Russell. Some 8% of people aged 5-19 worldwide are obese, compared with 3% at the turn of the century.
UNICEF also challenges the false narrative that sport can offset unhealthy eating. “It is impossible to ‘outrun’ the health consequences of a diet high in free sugars, refined starches, salt, trans-fats, harmful additives and excessive energy through physical activity alone,” says its latest report. Not a major issue in Hong Kong, though, since only 8% of students meet the WHO’s recommended exercise standard of 60 minutes per day.
In fairness, some schools are making an effort in terms of nutrition and activity, overcoming societal hurdles such as lack of outdoor facilities in our concrete jungle city and parental priority on academic achievement. Hong Kong Dietitians Association member Rekha Menon works closely with schools and goes the extra mile to educate students with farming experiences, cooking demonstrations and preparing meal boxes for NGOs. “There’s more to nutrition than the clinical element,” she points out. School caterer Chartwells provides “traffic light” menus with green, amber and red indicating the health value of dishes. As for exercise, the Education Bureau has revised its grading mechanism for secondary school places, with a score for PE now part of the assessment.
Fine for the haves, what about the have nots? Some 80% of adolescents living in this city’s notorious subdivided flats struggle with poor diets, according to a study from World Vision Hong Kong. “We found most of the children had inadequate nutrition intake,” confirms dietician and survey collaborator Bonnie Leung. Lack of space, few cooking facilities and parents working long hours are all factors. Hong Kong’s housing shortage strikes again.
On that particular subject – and many others – Regina Ip has always been vocal. A titan of politics and one of this city’s most high-profile figures, Regina offers fascinating recollections and forthright opinions as a guest on our Law & More podcast. It is recommended listening. So, too, is the episode featuring Malcolm Merry, esteemed academic and historian.
To finish, I should highlight that someone with a good deal of money has just spent HK$20 million at a government auction for the car registration “H”. Personalised numbers “30”, “101” and “2288” also went for staggering amounts and will doubtless be adorning assorted supercars in the coming weeks. The record outlay, however, remains the HK$26 million shelled out for “W” five years ago.
Yes folks, Hong Kong enjoys fast food, but certain citizens still love something eye-wateringly expensive on their plate.
Until next time, everybody!
Colin Cohen
Senior Partner
Boase Cohen & Collins
