China's Controversial "Fat Prisons" Spark Global Debate After Viral Video

New Delhi: A new trend out of China has grabbed attention online and raised eyebrows from health experts worldwide. Videos showing so-called "fat prisons", intense weight-loss camps for plus-sized adults, are being shared widely on social media. These facilities look and feel more like detention centres than typical fitness retreats.

What happens inside these places?

People who sign up spend about a month under very strict routines. Days start early, with participants being weighed first thing in the morning. From there, they follow back-to-back exercise sessions, including long periods of aerobics, weight training and high-intensity workouts. Meals are extremely limited, often just a few boiled eggs, vegetables and bread. Leaving the site isn't allowed unless there's a clear, valid reason.

Hour-by-Hour Routine Inside China’s Viral “Fat Prison” Weight-Loss Camps

• 7:30 am (Wake-up call) - Loud alarms or staff instructions wake everyone up. No snoozing allowed.
• 8 am (Mandatory weigh-in) - Daily weight is recorded. Progress is closely monitored.
• 9:20 am to 10:30 am (Intense workout session) - Aerobics, cardio drills, group exercises, and supervised training.
• 11:15 am (Breakfast) - Small portions only. Usually 4 boiled eggs, vegetables, or plain bread. No sugar or snacks.
• 2:50 pm to 4 pm - Weights class
• 4 pm to 5 pm (Lunch) - Low-calorie meal. Mostly vegetables and protein. No fried food or desserts.
• 5 pm to 7 pm - High-intensity training and spin classes

At the end of the day, all the inmates have dinner and are weighed again before heading off to bed.

Who is joining these programmes?

Hundreds of people register each year, drawn by the promise of rapid results and quick weight loss. People who enroll in the weight loss program have to pay around $1,000, including the classes, all their meals, and accommodation, which is one bed in a five-bed dormitory.

An Australian influencer, who goes by 'eggeats', took to Instagram and shared her experience online saying that she lost around 4 kg in two weeks at one of these camps. Her videos, showing life inside the camp, have gone viral on the social media.

Why are they called "prisons"?

The nickname comes from how strict and regimented the experience is. Participants live in dormitories behind fenced enclosures with locked gates. Security checks bags to stop anyone from bringing in high-calorie snacks. The schedule is intense, and there's little freedom of movement, a far cry from a typical gym or wellness programme.

Are experts worried?

Medical professionals have warned that such rapid weight loss can be dangerous. Losing too much too fast can put strain on the body, especially the heart, and may not be sustainable in the long run.

What's the public reaction?

Reactions online are mixed. Some say the strict discipline might help people break unhealthy habits. Others call it harmful and potentially unsafe. The debate reflects broader global concerns about body image, health trends and how far societies should go to address obesity.