Shenzhen, China, September 9, 2025 - In a remarkable showcase of discipline and determination, Insta360 a camera tech powerhouse under Arashi Vision Inc., is making waves with its unusual but effective “Million-Yuan Weight Loss Challenge.” This year, Gen-Z employee Xie Yaqi lost 20 kg in just 90 days, earning the title “Weight-Loss Champion” and a cash reward of 20,000 yuan (about ₹2.47 lakh).
Insta360, globally recognized for its action cameras, launched the annual Million-Yuan Weight Loss Challenge to motivate employees to adopt fitness and nutrition routines. A standout participant in 2025 was Xie Yaqi, a Gen-Z employee in her twenties, who earned the title of Weight Loss Champion for her remarkable 20kg (44 pounds) transformation in just 90 days, pocketing 20,000 yuan (US$2,800), as reported by the South China Morning Post.
The Million Yuan Weight Loss Challenge is an annual wellness program with a prize pool of almost one million yuan (US$140,000) designed to motivate employees to adopt healthier habits.
Registered employees shed weight and earn 500 yuan (approx. ₹6,100) for every 0.5 kg they lose.
Penalty clause: Participants who regain weight pay 800 yuan (approx. ₹9,800) per 0.5 kg—but notably, no penalties have been applied so far.
This program is more than a corporate perk as it reflects a strategic approach to tackling obesity in China, where sedentary lifestyles and rapid urbanization have contributed to rising overweight and obesity rates.
This initiative aligns with broader health trends in China, where obesity rates are soaring. According to a 2008 study in the Chinese Medical Journal, "Over 200 million Chinese were overweight or obese by 2002, with projections suggesting China could surpass the U.S. in obesity prevalence by 2020." Which it thankfully haven't crossed, per Global Obesity Observatory.
The study in Chinese Medical Journal also highlights that 12% of adults and 8% of children in Chinese cities are obese, driven by rapid urbanization and declining physical activity.
The challenge took center stage on August 12, 2025, when Insta360 announced its results, sparking buzz on platforms like Weibo and X. The program is based in Shenzhen, China, a tech hub where modern lifestyles marked by sedentary jobs and car-centric commutes contribute to rising obesity rates. The Chinese Medical Journal notes that car ownership in China increased 500% in the two decades leading up to 2008, reducing daily physical activity and fueling the obesity epidemic.
Insta360’s challenge is a creative response to China’s obesity crisis. The programs may contribute to reduce obesity-related health risks and promotes mental wellness. It also encourages non-exercise activity thermogenesis (NEAT), such as walking or standing, alongside structured exercise routines.
The challenge also taps into economic incentives, a powerful motivator. With obesity costing China billions annually (comparable to the US$100–200 billion economic burden in the U.S.), programs that reduce healthcare costs and boost productivity are vital.
(Rh/Eth/VK/MSM)