Role of tech

Wearable devices, from smartwatches and fitness bands, have become indispensable tools for tracking health and performance. Tech firms are racing to introduce innovations, embedding large AI models into smart treadmills and other equipment to deliver personalized training plans.

"My AI fitness coach gets it just right," said Liu Xiaopeng, a regular gym-goer. "It balances cardio and strength training perfectly. And with VR (virtual reality), I can work out in virtual arenas. Exercise has never been this engaging."

Bao Mingxiao, a professor at Beijing Sport University, said advances in AI and robotics will lower the cost of sports training in the future. "They are likely to open the door for ordinary people to find fitness and health solutions better tailored to their individual needs," Bao said.

Hospitals are opening weight management clinics, offering personalized plans for people struggling with being overweight and obesity. Meanwhile, some senior care facilities have introduced smart fitness mirrors, smart mattresses and companion robots to promote healthier lifestyles among their elderly residents.

In the catering sector, restaurants and canteens have stepped up related efforts with healthier menus. A restaurant chain in Chongqing has launched a "light noodle" series, replacing traditional wheat noodles with buckwheat alternatives and pairing them with a low-calorie local pepper sauce. The company's head, Li Hang, said that sales had exceeded 100,000 servings in just three months.

"This year, we will introduce more low-salt and anti-inflammatory light Chinese meals to meet our customers' demand for healthy eating," Li said.