A mini encyclopedia on weight management titled "100 Questions about Healthy Weight: A Handbook on Weight Management Knowledge for Shanghai Residents" has been published in both offline and online versions to help residents improve their overall health, the Shanghai health authority said on Monday.

The handbook covers the basic knowledge of weight management, balanced diet, scientific exercise, daily routines and mental state, as well as medical intervention. It targets mainly children, pregnant women and new mothers, the elderly, and individuals with chronic diseases.

Published in a question-and-answer format, the handbook addresses 100 most common concerns regarding weight management. For instance, it explains the difference between obesity caused by staying up late often and that triggered by stress and offers advice on preventing weight regain after going on diet. The answers are easy to understand and are highly practical.

According to authorities, the handbook, compiled by around 20 experts from the fields of preventive medicine, nutrition, sports, psychology, endocrinology, and traditional Chinese medicine, was one of Shanghai's measures to respond to the call by the National Health Commission to promote the action for weight management in March.

A total of 400,000 printed copies are expected to be distributed throughout the city's districts by the municipal government. Audio, e-book and short video versions will also be rolled out simultaneously through various media channels.

In December, the Shanghai Municipal Health Commission and other departments jointly unveiled an action plan, aiming to make progress in this area within three years through establishing a supportive environment for weight management and popularizing healthy lifestyles among other means.

Since 2008, the Shanghai municipal government has provided free health education handbooks of various themes to residents for 18 consecutive years. Such strategy characterized by wide coverage and low cost has been widely praised by experts from home and abroad, including those from the World Health Organization.

Cui Chuandong contributed to this story.