Another Thing Big In Japan: Measuring Waistlines
Posted by Shirley S. Wang
In the U.S., there’s an outcry about something as simple as putting calories on restaurant menus as a way to help combat the obesity epidemic. But that’s nothing compared to the Japanese, who now have to face measurements of their waistlines during annual checkups if they’re between 40 and 74 years old, the New York Times reports.
Anyone with a weight-related medical concern and whose waist is bigger than the acceptable size –- a rigorous 33.5 inches for men and 35.4 inches for women –- must lose weight, according to a new law. Otherwise, they face compulsory diet advice and follow-up visits for three to six months. For some perspective, the average male waist size in the U.S. is 39 inches, while American women average 36.5 inches.
The idea is to reduce the ranks of the overweight by 10% over the next four years and 25% over the next seven years. If not, the government will start fining companies and local governments, who are the providers of health coverage for the majority of Japanese. Ultimately, Japan hopes this campaign will help curb its health-care costs, which have been increasing, just like waist sizes.
Some people are worried about facing the tape measure. Others have embraced the idea, along with that of reducing the health consequences associated with obesity, such as metabolic syndrome–-or “metabo,” as it’s called in Japan.
But skeptics say there’s no need for such drastic measures. “I don’t think the campaign will have any positive effect,” Yoichi Ogushi, a professor at Tokai University’s School of Medicine told the NYT. “Now if you did this in the United States, there would be benefits, since there are many Americans who weigh more than 100 kilograms,” or about 220 pounds. “But the Japanese are so slender that they can’t afford to lose weight.”
Japan Measuring Employees
Originally Posted by Gelston
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