Yet another reason why Raw is best...

[Rawzula]

I'm a bit...baffled about this article? Unlikely hero? I think not!

"Little Fatty" unlikely Internet hero in China

Fri Dec 8, 12:58 PM ET

BEIJING (Reuters) - An overweight Chinese gas station attendant has become an unexpected celebrity after a picture of his portly face was posted on the Internet -- and then started appearing on movie posters and in other unlikely places.
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Nicknamed "Little Fatty," 19-year-old Qian Zhijun's picture was loaded on to the Internet four years ago by a teacher.

His face -- round, ruddy cheeked, with a drooping mouth and topped by a mop of black hair -- has since replaced Jean Reno's on a poster for the movie "The Da Vinci Code" and Johnny Depp's for "Pirates of the Caribbean," to name just two.

Though famous now and having appeared extensively in Chinese media, Qian says he was rather upset when he first saw his photo being made fun of on the Web.

"Now my feeling has changed. If you always feel depressed, then you feel uncomfortable. Now I can view this event with a calm mind, and I feel released," said Qian.

He has an official Web site (www.xiaopang.cn) run by friend Gao Feng, which operates as a forum for overweight people and offers tips on healthy eating and dieting.

Qian, who loves cooking, hopes to use his fame to launch a career in the media, saying he wants to work as a host for a television cooking program or report on gourmet restaurants.

He even has impersonators. Recently he was joined by six of them -- along with a dozen belly dancers -- who imitated his unique facial expression.

Please tell me what's wrong with this:eek:. **walks away shaking her head**

[Zuzu]

OHH, I wasted 2 minutes of my life reading that article! :eek:

[Rawzula]

It's a total waste of space. I wonder why they even bothered to post it:eek:

[madmel]

I just checked his website (btw: xiaopang means "little fatty" but is a nice way of saying it, not negative) - it's all Chinese, which I happen to understand as I live in China. It's a helpful page for overweight people, Reuters is promoting this with the articel. For me it's not a waste of time, but a hint to overweight people in China...

Obesity is becoming more and more of a problem in China - fat grannies, fat kids. A lot of oil is being used, too much fast food... Xiaopang's site is a good way of promoting a healthier lifestyle!

cheers,
madmel

[Rawzula]

Wish I knew how to read Chinese:eek:

Now I understand...at least attention is being brought to the problem. I didn't know that China was having problems with obesity, very surprising and disturbing at the same time:eek:

[madmel]

He has an official Web site (www.xiaopang.cn) run by friend Gao Feng, which operates as a forum for overweight people and offers tips on healthy eating and dieting.


But even Reuters says what's on the website ;)

[JGex]

Wish I knew how to read Chinese:eek:

Now I understand...at least attention is being brought to the problem. I didn't know that China was having problems with obesity, very surprising and disturbing at the same time:eek:

There's really nothing surprising about it at all.... as America spreads Western-ization around the world, we're also spreading our eating habits - fast food, lots of fats, etc.

Japan had never had an obesity problem before we introduced fast food there.


Good health and longevity in Japan is under threat from the rapid increase in obesity caused by adoption of western lifestyles.

Japan’s Okinawan islands have more than two and a half times the national average of people over 100 years old and an extraordinary number of people who enjoy excellent health well into their eighties. The traditional diet in Okinawa was deemed even healthier than that of mainland Japan, with more edible seaweeds, higher protein content and nutritious local produce, e.g. goya, a bitter vegetable rich in anti-oxidants. But the next generation is the fattest in Japan and prone to a range of obesity-related illnesses that could kill them in middle age.

Fast food commercialisation during US administration is blamed for these changes. Tokyo now has more fast food outlets per head than anywhere else in the country. Young people are abandoning fish and soy products for the meat and fast food convenience trap. Research shows that Okinawans now consume more fat, smoke more and drink more than the average Japanese, and use cars instead of walking or cycling.

This new generation eating American food is now reaching middle age overweight and at risk from diabetes. Almost 30 per cent of Okinawan men die before reaching 65, and nearly half of men in their forties are obese.

From: http://www.primehealthdirect.com/Home/news.aspx#japanese

when we were in amsterdam this November, it was disheartening for me to see large adverts for stuff like Pringles, and other American junk food.