The #A4Waist Challenge Is a Worrying New Weight Loss Trend

Scary. A frightening new trend sweeping China seesn women striving to literally be paper thin. The #A4Waist challenge sees girls posing with A4 sheets of paper in front of their waists with the goal being to not be visible at either side of the sheet. According to the Irish Times, the hashtag has received over 110 million views and more than 100,000 comments on China’s equivalent of Twitter, Weibo.

"A4 waist" challenge. New fad hits #China social media. Compare yours to A4 paper(21*29.7cm). Can I try it sideways? pic.twitter.com/tlIthPsJkJ
— China Xinhua News (@XHNews) March 15, 2016

The backlash to #A4waist has churned up some pretty excellent tweets though: via @sikorochka pic.twitter.com/GexcTffaGZ — Julia Macfarlane (@juliamacfarlane) March 17, 2016

Worryingly, even government organisations are getting involved, verified police forces’ accounts posting photos of female employees holding A4 sheets bearing information on how to prevent identity theft. While the trend was dubbed a "fitness challenge" by People’s Daily, there has been a significant backlash on social, not surprisingly.

Love @5tevieM response to the #A4WaistChallenge more on it here - https://t.co/YwADNdmDMS @thepooluk pic.twitter.com/2FgP2sd1UN — Frankie Graddon (@FrankieGrad) March 18, 2016

#A4Waist #A4waistchallenge Love yourself, respect your body ? pic.twitter.com/9yJWHUFyHg
— ◊Sarouchki◊ (@PoulpyPims) March 19, 2016

Dear women with #A4Waist taking up #A4WaistChallenge Sorry but I don't want to fit in.I am curvy & healthy & love it pic.twitter.com/XgsXLoi5sS — ruchi kokcha (@ruchikokcha) March 19, 2016

When I have a daughter, the only A4 sized piece of paper I want her comparing is her math notes. #A4Waist #A4WaistChallenge
— Classy On The Run (@ClassyOnTheRun) March 19, 2016

F*ck that #A4WaistChallenge. Proud of my curves. ?? pic.twitter.com/z8FHUgWBlM — Joy Anna Thielemans (@JoyThielemans) March 18, 2016

This is what I think of the #A4WaistChallenge. Need I say more? @greatdaystlouis @kmov pic.twitter.com/c6qKt0KEQG
— Laura Hettiger (@LauraKHettiger) March 18, 2016