Print  Email Article  Favorite Font Size: 

Recreation and national Fitness

From1990 to 2002 the average life expectancy of a Chinese person increased by 3.25 years to 71.8 years, close to the level of moderately developed countries.

However, physical fitness of Chinese citizens in a more affluent society worsens considerably after they turn 40, and obesity is common among adults and is getting to be a problem among young people. The health condition of women in the countryside is also far from satisfactory.

To promote physical fitness nationwide, a National Physical Fitness Program was established in 1995 t. With an emphasis on young people and children, this program encourages everyone to engage in at least one sports activity daily, learn at least two ways of keeping fit and have a health examination every year. It requires that physical education and cultural departments, at all levels, study people's different preferences for the most suitable time for engaging in fitness activities, the different categories and styles of fitness activities, and to create more popular fitness programs to meet people’s needs.

Many sports organizations promote sports activities in businesses, schools and neighborhoods, and among individuals. These organizations also sponsor training classes and offer lectures, as well as advice, on physical fitness activities and organized sports contests for businesses and individuals.

Under the Nationwide Physical Fitness Program outdoor fitness centers have been installed in public parks, squares, schoolyards and other convenient locations. These fitness centers are widely enjoyed by people of all ages. The State Physical Culture Administration also sponsors an annual "nationwide fitness awareness week."

The National Physical Fitness Program has set a goal of getting some 37% of China's population into a habit of regular physical exercise by 2005, and some 40% by 2010. There are about 616,000 gymnasiums and stadiums across China, most of them open to and widely used by the general public. Lottery funds were also used to provide sports facilities in Beijing, Dalian(大连) and Changchun(长春).

To do a quick search, highlighting any word(s) then click Help!