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THURSDAY, 12 NOVEMBER 2009 | 4:30 PM By David Nakamura
TOKYO, KOMPAS.com — In Japan, being thin isn’t just the price you pay for fashion or social acceptance. It’s the law.
So 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 last month. 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.”
In Japan, already the slimmest industrialized nation, people are fighting fat to ward off dreaded metabolic syndrome and comply with a government-imposed waistline standard. Metabolic syndrome, known here simply as “metabo,” is a combination of health risks, including stomach flab, high blood pressure and high cholesterol, that can lead to cardiovascular disease and diabetes.
Concerned about rising rates of both in a graying nation, Japanese lawmakers last year set a maximum waistline size for anyone age 40 and older: 85 centimeters (33.5 inches) for men and 90 centimeters (35.4 inches) for women.
In the United States, the Senate and House health care reform bills have included the so-called “Safeway Amendment,” which would offer reductions in insurance premiums to people who lead fitter lives. The experience of the Japanese offers lessons in how complicated it is to legislate good health.
Though Japan’s “metabo law” aims to save money by heading off health risks related to obesity, there is no consensus that it will. Doctors and health experts have said the waistline limits conflict with the International Diabetes Federation’s recommended guidelines for Japan. Meantime, ordinary residents have been buying fitness equipment, joining gyms and popping herbal pills in an effort to lose weight, even though some doctors warn that they are already too thin to begin with.
The amount of “food calories which the Japanese intake is decreasing from 10 years ago,” said Yoichi Ogushi, professor of medicine at Tokai University and one of the leading critics of the law. “So there is no obesity problem as in the USA. To the contrary, there is a problem of leanness in young females.”
One thing’s certain: Most Japanese aren’t taking any chances.
Companies are offering discounted gym memberships and developing special diet plans for employees. Residents are buying new products touted as fighting metabo, including a $1,400 machine called the Joba that imitates a bucking bronco. The convenience store chain Lawson has opened healthier food stores called Natural Lawson, featuring fresh fruits and vegetables.
Under Japan’s health care coverage, companies administer check-ups to employees once a year. Those who fail to meet the waistline requirement must undergo counseling. If companies do not reduce the number of overweight employees by 10 percent by 2012 and 25 percent by 2015, they could be required to pay more money into a health care program for the elderly. An estimated 56 million Japanese will have their waists measured this year.
Though Japan has some of the world’s lowest rates of obesity — less than 5 percent, compared to nearly 35 percent for the United States — people here on average have gotten heavier in the past three decades, according to government statistics. More worrisome, in a nation that is aging faster than any other because of long life spans and low birth rates, the number of people with diabetes has risen from 6.9 million in 1997 to 8.9 million last year.
Health care costs here are projected to double by 2020 and represent 11.5 percent of gross domestic product. That’s why some health experts support the metabo law.
“Due to the check up, there is increased public awareness on the issue of obesity and metabolic syndrome,” said James Kondo, president of the Health Policy Institute Japan, an independent think tank. “Since fighting obesity is a habit underlined by heightened awareness, this is a good thing. The program is also revolutionary in that incentivizes [companies] to reduce obesity.”
Though the health exams for metabolic syndrome factor in blood pressure, cholesterol, blood sugar, weight and smoking, waist size is the most critical element in the Japanese law — and perhaps the most humiliating.
The hesitancy of some Japanese to expose their bare stomachs to the tape measure has led the government to allow the tape measures to be administered to clothed patients. Those who elect not to strip down are permitted to deduct 1.5 centimeters from their results.
The crudeness of the system has alarmed some doctors. Satoru Yamada, a doctor at Kitasato Institute Hospital in Tokyo, published a study two years ago in which several doctors measured the waist of the same person. Their results varied by as much as 7.8 centimeters.
“I cannot agree with waist size being the essential element,” Yamada said.
Perhaps more astounding, even before Japanese lawmakers set the waistline limits last year, the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) amended its recommended guidelines for the Japanese. The new IDF standard is 90 centimeters (35.4 inches) for men and 80 centimeters (31.5 inches) for women. But the Japanese government has yet to modify its limits.
On the day of her exam, Yabe arrived at the clinic at 8:30 in the morning. The battery of tests lasted an hour. The result: her waist was 84 centimeters — safely under the limit. She had shed 6.5 pounds thanks to her diet and exercise.
A week later, however, Yabe was back to eating pasta and other favorite foods.
“I want to keep healthy now, but I don’t know,” she said. “Maybe in December, I will have many bonenkai [year-end parties]. And next summer I will drink beer, almost every day.”
Illegal to have a waist more than 33.5 inches if you're a dude thats over 40? Well I've still got a 30 inch waist but damn thats quite a standard.
Focusing on waist size also doesn't seem to be the best way to go either. Hopefully sumo wrestlers are exempt otherwise that sport might get a pretty big shift.
This message was edited 1 time. Last update was at 2009/11/18 16:50:52
How utterly ironic that the Government would be concerned about rising health care costs. They have made an incentive to have longer living, healthier citizens who in their advanced age will more likely contract more expensive and prolonged illnesses and diseases which will sap the public health money faster and faster.
People are living longer and costing more money to keep alive. The onld standbye of a 'grabber' at 55 is far cheaper than these older aged diseases. As the life expectency increases, the price of medical care for that person sky-rockets.
[DCM]
Chief Deputy Sub Assistant Trainee Squig Handling Intern
DarthDiggler wrote:How utterly ironic that the Government would be concerned about rising health care costs. They have made an incentive to have longer living, healthier citizens who in their advanced age will more likely contract more expensive and prolonged illnesses and diseases which will sap the public health money faster and faster.
People are living longer and costing more money to keep alive. The onld standbye of a 'grabber' at 55 is far cheaper than these older aged diseases. As the life expectency increases, the price of medical care for that person sky-rockets.
Careful with your conclusion there fella.
People are indeed living longer and longer. This is primarily due to a better understanding of diet, and increased medical care. Sure, we do suffer from certain diseases as we age, but medicine is advancing just as fast. Breakthrough leads to breakthrough.
Take my Granny for instance. She is of a generation where the dangers of smoking and drinking were either unknown, or poorly taught. Thus her fellow 80odd year olds are in a similar boat healthwise. But now, we know that such things have long term detrimental effects.
Nowadays, we know these dangers, and either avoid or cure them. Take Zyban, a drug which effectively turns off the part of the brain that deals with substance addiction. We are on the cusp of major breakthroughs thanks to Stem Cell research. Organ Transplants are one thing, but having an Organ grown which is identical to your own, and in peak physical condition is not that far away.
The only problem with living longer is aging. With just another couple of decades, we ought to be able to offset the effects of aging, meaning that as long as we control breeding, things will be fine.
This message was edited 1 time. Last update was at 2009/11/18 17:10:12
Fed up of Scalpers? But still want your Exclusives? Why not join us?
Smoking and drinking will most liklely lead to a sudden death. Sudden deaths are cheaper than prolonged deaths where a machine is keeping you alive to suck your families money dry.
Deadshane1 wrote:Glad I'm a fat, lazy, barbaric American.
I wonder what the penalty is for being a fatty?
From the article:
"Those who fail to meet the waistline requirement must undergo counseling. If companies do not reduce the number of overweight employees by 10 percent by 2012 and 25 percent by 2015, they could be required to pay more money into a health care program for the elderly. An estimated 56 million Japanese will have their waists measured this year. "
So looks like counseling and the company they work for might have to spend more $$$.
It's one of the things that worries me about moving to Japan.
I haven't had a waist size under 34 inches since I was a 14-year old. I was a seriously fit oarsman at that time and hadn't yet achieved my adult growth.
Hopefully they have some allowance for westerners being on average about four inches taller than Japanese.
Cruel as it sounds, we've needed a black plague for a while. Science is getting too awesome for it's own good. It's going to get to the point where we either start regulating how many kids per couple or large numbers of people have to die. Childless or adopting couples are doing more good for the world than they know, in my opinion
Cannerus_The_Unbearable wrote:Cruel as it sounds, we've needed a black plague for a while. Science is getting too awesome for it's own good. It's going to get to the point where we either start regulating how many kids per couple or large numbers of people have to die. Childless or adopting couples are doing more good for the world than they know, in my opinion
Japan has had dwindling population numbers so I don't think thats a problem for 'em. They WANT more kids.
Cannerus_The_Unbearable wrote:Cruel as it sounds, we've needed a black plague for a while. Science is getting too awesome for it's own good. It's going to get to the point where we either start regulating how many kids per couple or large numbers of people have to die.
You first. I'll hold the door for you.
-"Wait a minute.....who is that Frazz is talking to in the gallery? Hmmm something is going on here.....Oh.... it seems there is some dispute over video taping of some sort......Frazz is really upset now..........wait a minute......whats he go there.......is it? Can it be?....Frazz has just unleashed his hidden weiner dog from his mini bag, while quoting shakespeares "Let slip the dogs the war!!" GG
-"Don't mind Frazzled. He's just Dakka's crazy old dude locked in the attic. He's harmless. Mostly."
-TBone the Magnificent 1999-2014, Long Live the King!
Now.. Now... before we start gassing folks. Virus's evolve pretty quickly maybe Swine flu will turn into a super bug like spanish flu after ww1. That way our numbers get thinned and no one goes to the slammer.
I've sold so many armies. :(
Aeldari 3kpts Slaves to Darkness.3k Word Bearers 2500k Daemons of Chaos
Seriously, people who say that are usualy hypocrites. If they were serious they would have jumped off a cliff and would not be around to verbalize the argument.
-"Wait a minute.....who is that Frazz is talking to in the gallery? Hmmm something is going on here.....Oh.... it seems there is some dispute over video taping of some sort......Frazz is really upset now..........wait a minute......whats he go there.......is it? Can it be?....Frazz has just unleashed his hidden weiner dog from his mini bag, while quoting shakespeares "Let slip the dogs the war!!" GG
-"Don't mind Frazzled. He's just Dakka's crazy old dude locked in the attic. He's harmless. Mostly."
-TBone the Magnificent 1999-2014, Long Live the King!
Yeah, they need more kids, not less.
That's a pretty scary level of impinging on personal freedom there, though. I would NOT be happy if something like that happened over here, and I'm a skinny fether.
Cannerus_The_Unbearable wrote:Cruel as it sounds, we've needed a black plague for a while. Science is getting too awesome for it's own good. It's going to get to the point where we either start regulating how many kids per couple or large numbers of people have to die.
You first. I'll hold the door for you.
I'll be the one with the injection needle if he wants it.
As for the article, Japan doesn't really need stringent weight health requirements, but given its gentrified population this could keep people working longer and less likely to contract diabetes. Japan has an excellent healthcare system as it stands, and this could be a good thing if handled apropriately. Counseling and job related controls sound like a good measure if they are not overly harsh on people with larger body types.
It would be nice if they did something like it here, but then people don't like to be told what to do, even when it's good for them. Also the fat lobby. Fat lobby fat lobby fat lobby, how do they fit through the door to wine and dine the senators?
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Do you remember that time that thing happened?
This is a bad thread and you should all feel bad
Cannerus_The_Unbearable wrote:Cruel as it sounds, we've needed a black plague for a while. Science is getting too awesome for it's own good. It's going to get to the point where we either start regulating how many kids per couple or large numbers of people have to die. Childless or adopting couples are doing more good for the world than they know, in my opinion
I hope they regulate it so I can have one or two more. I can't afford it at the moment.
I'm not sure what the wife will have to say if the government decrees she must give birth again. Perhaps I will be required to fulfil my government sponsored quota with a lissome lovely instead. It would be a heavy burden to bear, but I will do my best for the Emporer.
Every watch the skies! The object falling to earth will be KK's lifeless, torn, battered body mysteriously dropping from space...
Ancient Buddha say displease wife and kiss cojones goodbye.
-"Wait a minute.....who is that Frazz is talking to in the gallery? Hmmm something is going on here.....Oh.... it seems there is some dispute over video taping of some sort......Frazz is really upset now..........wait a minute......whats he go there.......is it? Can it be?....Frazz has just unleashed his hidden weiner dog from his mini bag, while quoting shakespeares "Let slip the dogs the war!!" GG
-"Don't mind Frazzled. He's just Dakka's crazy old dude locked in the attic. He's harmless. Mostly."
-TBone the Magnificent 1999-2014, Long Live the King!
Illegal is kinda harsh, i say we tax the fat! If your waist goes over 40 inches you should have to pay double for food, that way, we can make some extra cash and we can encourage fatties to get healthy!
We are arming Syrian rebels who support ISIS, who is fighting Iran, who is fighting Iraq who we also support against ISIS, while fighting Kurds who we support while they are fighting Syrian rebels.
People are like dice, a certain Frenchman said that. You throw yourself in the direction of your own choosing. People are free because they can do that. Everyone's circumstances are different, but no matter how small the choice, at the very least, you can throw yourself. It's not chance or fate. It's the choice you made.
All this thread deserves, is a cookie cutter... no cookies though.
I love the concept people have about 'proper' body image though. The 'limitations' set through social standards are absolutely delusional. BMI is a massive statistical joke as well.
I could get my waist down to around (how can I wear a 34, yet measure to 40? in fact, how can I forget what size pants I wear? whats worse?) 36 inches if I tried, but the funny thing is at that point, I would end up weighing more due to muscle mass. Trying to envision the 'proper' frame, is ridiculous; people come in more shapes and sizes than almost any other animal on the planet. If you are actually obese, you will know it, or you will deny it; but a spare tire around the waste, does not = Fatty Mcfatterson.
Every single person in this picture, has uniquely different shapes associated to their bodies individually... not based on their heritage. If you find two people that are actually similar, chances are that they are identical twins.
This message was edited 3 times. Last update was at 2009/11/19 08:59:25
Ugh. This make me sick. Just sick. Why do people have to impose there supposed ideal image on use. Im around 260 very big but im healthy and never get sick.
-to many points to bother to count.
mattyrm wrote:i like the idea of a woman with a lobster claw for a hand touching my nuts. :-)
Kilkrazy wrote:It's one of the things that worries me about moving to Japan.
I haven't had a waist size under 34 inches since I was a 14-year old. I was a seriously fit oarsman at that time and hadn't yet achieved my adult growth.
Hopefully they have some allowance for westerners being on average about four inches taller than Japanese.
I came back to the states recently after living in Japan; other than comments like "daigai!" and snickers when you bang your head leaving the train, you'll be alright.
Six mistakes mankind keeps making century after century: Believing that personal gain is made by crushing others; Worrying about things that cannot be changed or corrected; Insisting that a thing is impossible because we cannot accomplish it; Refusing to set aside trivial preferences; Neglecting development and refinement of the mind; Attempting to compel others to believe and live as we do
I'm doing my part. The last time I bought a big bag of candy at Wal-Mart, I chose Hershey's kisses instead of M&M's. This way, instead of just dumping the candy into a bowl and shoveling handfuls of them into my mouth, I have to waste precious seconds of my valuable time futzing around with the pain in the ass aluminum foil wrapper for every single one. The rate of my candy intake has thus been slowed considerably. Yay for me!
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-to many points to bother to count.