Chinese girl gains 20 kg due to stress at work

Ouyang Wenjing (24 years old), living in Guangdong province, China, said her weight increased from 60 kg to 80 kg after a year of working.

She did not name the company or specify the nature of her work, but said the job had a very negative impact on her physical and mental health, according to the South China Morning Post.

Ouyang often has to work overtime and irregular shifts. Because she is so busy, she cannot cook and has to order food from outside for three meals a day.

In June, unable to bear it any longer, the 24-year-old decided to quit her job. She shared that she now feels "much better" than before.

Ouyang's story also sparked discussions on Chinese social media, particularly about weight gain due to work-related stress.

In China, “overwork obesity” is often blamed on work pressure, long working hours or irregular lifestyles.

According to data released on May 17 by the National Bureau of Statistics of China, employees in the country worked an average of 48.5 hours per week in April. This is up from 46.2 hours in April 2022.

Workers in the country, especially those in the tech industry, are subjected to a grueling “996” work schedule, which requires them to work from 9am to 9pm, six days a week. Some joke that they are actually working on a “007” schedule, meaning they work 24/7, according to the Straits Times.

The Chinese government has made it clear that the “996” work culture is illegal, as the law stipulates that workers should not work more than eight hours a day and an average of 44 hours a week. Work can last a maximum of just one hour a day, and employees must be paid at least 150% of their regular salary. However, many companies still require employees to work overtime regularly without additional pay.

Many young workers are so stressed at work that they have to hire someone to "lull them to sleep", listen and support them mentally to overcome life's challenges.