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Mandarin/Nat China's growing wealth is also leading to bulging bellies for Chinese children. In a country which has battled hunger for thousands of years, many parents are happy to now have the means to let their kids stuff themselves. But Chinese health experts are now warning of serious medical consequences if the problem of child obesity continues to spread. It's the middle of the summer school holiday in China, but these chubby children aren't getting a break. Years of overeating has landed them in what's referred to here as "fat camp" -- a regimented program of exercise designed to trim them down. Not that they are arguing -- most, like this 15 year old, say they know what they have to do, and why they are here. SOUNDBITE: (Mandarin) "Because I'm too fat! I came here to exercise and lose some weight." SUPER CAPTION: Zhang Yue, student Fourteen-year-old Ou Yang says it's the most difficult thing he's ever done. More than two straight hours of running, jumping, stretching and sweating. Students of Beijing's Number 204 Middle School pay 150 yuan, or 18 U-S dollars, for the one-month program. Pupils from other schools can join in for 200 yuan (24 U-S dollars). An estimated 10 to 12 percent of this generation's urban children is believed to be seriously overweight, and the percentage is growing. Health officials believe that just eight years ago, only two to four percent of children were overweight. Almost two decades of relative stability and prosperity have created the conditions which allow these kids to focus on some serious eating. After living through years of suffering and deprivation, many parents are only too glad to let the kids have their way. SOUNDBITE: (Mandarin) "My grandmother made me like this! When I come home from school I don't even need to say anything and my grandmother always makes some delicious food for me." SUPER CAPTION: Ou Yang, student Experts cite doting grandparents and the traditional belief that fat children are healthy children as a major factor in childhood obesity. Instructors here say the kids need more than exercise -- their way of life, they say, needs an overhaul as well. SOUNDBITE: (Mandarin) "These fat kids run very slowly because they are lazy -- and we want to strengthen their will through exercise and train them to advance bravely with no fear." SUPER CAPTION: Lin Guo, physical education instructor at "fat camp" Approximately eighty percent of China's population continues to live and labour in rural areas. Many still struggle each year just to insure that their family has enough to eat. But China's cities have changed -- and here in the capital Beijing, new wealth has opened up more leisure time and discretionary spending. Western fast-food restaurants have sprouted and spread, and many of these youngsters are eating much more fat and meat than found in the traditional Chinese diet. Parents say they simply can't refuse when their children cry and demand to go to McDonald's. But Chinese health professionals are growing increasingly alarmed about the problem -- and they say the time has passed when parents could indulge their children so freely. The Mayflora Weight Loss Centre treats child obesity through diet, medicine and exercise. Professor Shu Yu Zhang believes China's one-child policy is a contributing factor in weight gain among the young. Known as the little emperors for being pampered by their parents, these children receive significant attention, often in the form of food. Unlike previous generations that were much more likely to play outside, today's kids stay inside, watch television, and play video games. The founder of the Centre says she knows she is fighting an uphill battle, but she says that too much is at stake for the society. You can license this story through AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/metadata/youtube/e753c3e716901f8975603a08f4965149 Find out more about AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/HowWeWork