9. Myopia and obesity, the main weaknesses of mainland students
  http://www.chinanews.com/news/9603/26/032612aa.eng
  
  
  Beijing, March 26 (CNS) -- According to a recent survey of the
  health condition of students in China, obesity rather than under
  nourishment is on the increase among urban children.  At the
  same time, the survey, which was published today, reports that
  the incidence of myopia is on the rise, especially amongst rural
  youth.
  
  This  survey  jointly sponsored by the State Education
  Commission, State Physical Culture & Sports Commission,
  Ministry of Public Health, State Nationality Affairs Commission
  and the State Science & Technology Commission sampled
  310,000 students from 1,800 education establishments in 30
  parts of the country.
  
  Compared with 1985, obesity among male students aged between
  7 and 18 had risen from 2.75 per cent to 8.65 per cent, the figures
  for girls was 3.38 per cent and 7.18 per cent respectively. In the
  urban areas in particular, obese male students numbered 12.03
  per cent.
  
  In the cities, 22.78 per cent of primary pupils were short-sighted
  while junior and senior secondary students numbered 55.22 per
  cent and 70.34 per cent respectively.
  
  In the rural areas, short sightedness among primary pupils had
  risen by 1.2 percent; the figures for junior secondary male
  students and senior secondary female students were up by 7 and 6
  per cent respectively while the number of postgraduates suffering
  from impaired eye-sight stood at 76.74 per cent.
  
  The main reasons for obesity in today's youth are summarised in
  the report on a lack of physical exercise, insufficient physical
  education lessons in schools, fewer long-distance races, and
  unbalanced diets in combination with improved living standards.
  
  The most direct cause of short sightedness was too much
  homework and reduced focal ability at close range. In addition,
  too much time was spent on electronic games and watching
  television.
  
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  CNS 0326-12