The piece quotes a professional observer of trends, who says that an obsession with getting thin is now more visible in places like China and India, among the newly aspirational middle classes.

ECONOMIST: European politics

In addition, Lunar New Year holidays in China are expected to make for relatively thin and cautious trading over the next few days.

WSJ: Australian Shares Edge Lower

Trading was thin, with many of the region's markets, including in Japan, China, Australia and Singapore, closed for the New Year holiday.

WSJ: Asia Mixed in Thin Holiday Trading