Officials fear this obesity epidemic could mean dire consequences for the snow people community.

The rate of obesity in Beijing’s snow people population has risen by approximately 95% in the last 5 weeks, government officials say.

An officer from the Ministry of Snowman Health blames poor nutrition and a lack of health education for the sharp rise in obesity rates. The Snow people are an unrecognized nomadic minority group indigenous to the northern areas of China, and have long complained of receiving marginalized, unfair treatment that has led to a lower quality of life.

“There is just a complete lack of awareness as to what foods are healthy to eat,” says Frost E. Lee, the  Health Board Director of Snow Province. “Most snowmen, while quite fond of carrots for ornamental use, are not even aware that they are edible.”

As urban area inhabitants, Beijing’s snow people are especially at risk. “Its easy to stick to a diet that is high in fat, oil and sugar,” said a mother snowwoman as she ushered her kids into KFC. I can’t cook because I don’t have arms, and the children like this stuff. We get fast food about 5 or 6 times a week.”

Snow people across Beijing are reporting an average tripling in body mass index.

The city’s snowman population is facing what community leaders have declared as a state of emergency.  Instances of type 2 diabetes are skyrocketing, and the body mass index of the average middle school child has more than tripled.

An average middle school snowchild, 2005

An average middle school snowchild, 2010

Most city residents no longer maintain the discernable “middle torso ball” that has long been an indentifying characteristic of the snow people community.

“The government needs to step in, and get proper nutrition education to both parents and children. Kids need to be encouraged to exercise even though its cold out, and we need to provide assistance to households who cannot afford to buy more nutritious food,” says Polly Wu, a middle school teacher.

“It makes my heart break to see the children like this," says Wu. "But if nothing gets done, we’re going to have to get used to it.”