A Chinese "boot camp" for the obese has "pinpointed" a way for them to lose weight -- acupuncture.

"It simply speeds up the body's digestive system," Dr. Shi Lidong of the Aimin Clinic tells CTV News. "It helps the body get rid of needless fat. It's very effective."

One patient undergoing the treatment says the multiple needles really don't hurt. "Besides, when I lose enough, my girlfriend says we can get married," he says.

The clinic's poster child is Meng Qunggang. Upon arrival, he weighed 256 kilograms. After a year, he was down to 90 kg.

Guo Qian would love to be a weight loss poster child. "People look at me like I'm an animal. Something strange to gawk at. They bully me and call me stupid," she says. "I want them to see a different me, a slim and pretty me."

Acupuncture isn't the only tool used by the clinic to help patients towards that goal. Exercise, balanced meals and special herbs are part of the regimen.

Every morning, everyone hits industrial-sized scales for a public weigh-in.

A big business

Helping the obese lose weight has become a growth industry in China, with some paying up to $2,000 per month for treatment.

Growth prospects for the weight loss industry in that country of 1.3 billion people are good. Obesity is on track to become the number-one killer in China within 15 years.

As China becomes wealthier, people move from cars to bicycles. Instead of working in fields, they sit behind desks in office jobs.

Western fast food, with its high fat content, is also making inroads, displacing the traditional diet heavy in vegetables and light on meat.

According to a 2004 report, obesity went up almost 100 per cent in a 10-year period starting in 1992. On the plus side, the report also found problems with malnutrition and nutritional deficiencies were falling.

The report said Chinese people need to be educated about nutrition and living healthier lifestyles.

In the meantime, Aimin has 28 clinics across China to help those who have become obese.

"It really works," says Guo. "I'm never hungry. I know one day I'm going to be pretty, find a good job, and maybe even a boyfriend."

With a report from CTV's Steve Chao

Chinese clinic treats obesity with acupuncture
Go to CTV page to read this article

CTV News