The report during the National People's Congress in March about the average Chinese teen being shorter than their South Korean and Japanese counterparts has prompted the country's health and sports experts to call for better nutrition and exercise programs for the country's students. The report had generated public concern over the Chinese youth's declining fitness level. 

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Health specialists at a recent youth sports event, however, took the report lightly stressing that non-genetic factors like adequate exercise and proper diet are important factors that will contribute to good overall health.

Director of the China Institute of Sports Science, Tian Ye, commented on the accuracy of the height statistics presented and added that average height comparisons do not necessarily mirror the level of fitness of the youth in the countries being compared. 

It was NPC deputy Wu Zhengxian who made the claim in March that the average Chinese teen is shorter than their South Korean and Japanese counterparts.

The source of her claim had been questioned by some parties who themselves had figures that do not support Wu's claim. 

Li Guoping, director of China's National Institute of Sports Medicine, said that instead of debating on the merits of different heights, it would be more relevant to just focus on promoting more physical education activities for China's students. 

"Human body height is mainly decided by genetic factors and will be slightly affected by habitual exercise. It's not convincing to compare fitness level with the differences in height," according to Li.

LI added that the state of health of Chinese teenagers is undeniably deteriorating, and providing students with increased mandatory physical exercises in the campus would in due course of time increase the average height of the Chinese.

The high premium placed on academic excellence in China had de-emphasized to a large degree the importance of facilities and time devoted to physical education. This has brought about a drop in the students' overall fitness levels, according to PE supporters. 

In Beijing for example, a physical fitness survey involving 1.3 million students from primary and secondary levels showed that 21.46 percent were obese and 62.96 percent had myopia or less than perfect vision.

Some students were also seen to have developed chronic illnesses at an early age. In one sample, 45.1 percent of 401 junior and high school students had fatty livers while 30.7 percent were hypertensive.