China’s “otaku” problem

Reuters/The Guardian report that a Japanese term has taken on a new meaning in China:

Chinese media has even given its army of TV Olympic spectators a name — otaku — a Japanese word that means “venerable house” and usually refers to someone nerdy who is totally devoted to a hobby to the point of not leaving home.

The article goes on to mention how fast food and video games are leading to an unhealthy life style:

The Chinese diet has changed, with hundreds of McDonald’s and KFC outlets in China, but experts also blame a drop off in physical activity, with more cars and less bikes on the roads.
Chinese newspaper the People’s Daily said China has fewer than seven training fields for every 10,000 Chinese, compared with 200 sports fields for every 10,000 people in United States, and Japan.
“Now all the teenagers just like to play video games and watch television and our children like McDonald’s. It is not healthy,” said Yu Yanbing who was tucking into some fries at McDonald’s with his 3-year-old son Zixi.