Anti-obesity campaign in Japan sets strict weight standards

Millions of people in Japan between the ages of 40-74 are getting their waistlines measured as a part of an anti-obesity campaign in the country. Although only five percent of people on the island are deemed obese, lawmakers are paranoid about metabolic syndrome.

The syndrome is often called “metabo” among the Japanese, and it is a term used to describe a collection of factors that heighten the risk of developing vascular disease and diabetes. Some of the factors include high blood pressure, abdominal obesity, cholesterol, and high levels of blood glucose.

Under the weight restrictions set by the government, men are not to exceed a waistline of 33.5 inches. Women are given a little more leeway and are permitted to have a waist measurement of 35.4 inches or below.

According the the New York Times:

“To reach its goal of shrinking the overweight population by 10 percent over the next four years and 25 percent over the next seven years, the government will impose financial penalties on companies and local governments that fail to meet specific targets. The country’s Ministry of Health argues that the campaign will keep the spread of diseases like diabetes and strokes in check.”

But are the weight restrictions realistic? Although Japanese people are known for having smaller frames compared to Caucasian Americans, critics say that the government guidelines for the male waistlines are too strict. In fact, a survey by the National Center for Health Statistics found that average waist size for Caucasian American men is 39 inches.

Japanese citizens who disagree with the anti-obesity campaign and its guidelines fear that half the men in the country will be considered unlawfully hefty.

Some have already resorted to unhealthy crash diets to slim down just before their local government officials drop by to measure their waists.

According to the Global Post:

“Before the fat police could throw her in pudgy purgatory, Miki Yabe, 39, a manager at a major transportation corporation, went on a crash diet. In the week before her company’s annual health check-up, Yabe ate 21 consecutive meals of vegetable soup and hit the gym for 30 minutes a day of running and swimming.

“It’s scary,” said Yabe, who is 5 feet 3 inches and 133 pounds. “I gained 2 kilos [4.5 pounds] this year.”

Currently, Japan is the slimmest industrialized nation. So why is the government going to such extreme measures to fight a problem they don’t really have? Because of the universal health care system, the government plans on saving money by heading off health risks related to obesity. But some doctors argue that the unreasonable weight restrictions on men will lead to other health risks.

For instance, the waistline limits conflict with the International Diabetes Federation’s recommended guidelines for Japan, which can be seen on page 11 of this PDF file. Japanese males are recommended to have a waist measurement of 35.4 inches, while Japanese women are recommended to have a waist measurement of 31.5 inches.

What are your thoughts? Does the Japanese government have its heart in the right place? More than 35 percent of Americans are obese, and the numbers continue to increase. Is it a good thing if the government regulates our weight?

I talk about my thoughts in the broadcast below.