Measuring Matters: Japanese Pass Waist Restrictions

A couple of months ago, I wrote an April fool’s gag about the government stepping in on the obesity epidemic in America and enacting an anti-obesity law. Some people realized it was a joke and thought it was funny. Others weren’t so quick to catch on and were outraged. But my goal was to spark conversation on a touchy subject — which I did.

To whit: Should the government step in?

Some said yes, some said no, but everyone held passionate views. So when I saw the New York Times article, “Japan, Seeking Trim Waists, Measures Millions,” I was instantly curious. Had Japan done what some Americans believe was necessary to stop this growing problem? Did the Japanese even have an obesity problem? Would they have a catchy tune to help illustrate the issue and give the people something to dance to?

The answer to all of these questions seemed more mysterious than the origins of the ninja… But I was ready to find out.

The law, which took effect two months ago, breaks down like this: Companies and local governments must measure the waists of Japanese citizens between the ages of 40 and 74 (about 44 percent of the population of Japan, or 56 million people).

If people are over the prescribed waist size — 33.5 inches for men, 35.4 for women — then they are given dietary guidance first and “re-education” after six months if the dietary guidance isn’t effective. (Re-education sounds a little too Clockwork Orange for me.) If companies fail to have their employees meet these new weight guidelines they could face huge fines.

Many complain these guidelines are too strict and that the government is simply trying to shift the cost of healthcare to the private sector — most Japanese are covered by public healthcare or through their work.

However, proponents think this new law will help to stop the ballooning cost of healthcare for Japan’s ever-increasing elderly population, as well as stop the spread of several weight-related diseases with the focus being on metabolic syndrome — a precursor to diabetes and heart disease.

With such drastic measures to stop Japan’s ballooning beltlines, they must be facing some serious weight woes. But how bad is it? According to Japanese statistics, the average waist size for a Japanese man is 32.8 inches and 28 inches for a woman. If you’re wondering how we stack up here in the United States, the average waist size for men is 39 inches and 36.5 inches for women.

If you ask me, and I’m considered overweight by Japanese standards at a 34-inch waist, I think they need to lighten up in over there (not literally), but maybe we could learn a thing or two about coming together as a nation to stop this growing epidemic.

I’m not sure if it will work, but something needs to be done. So, I’ll leave you with a few of the lyrics from Japan’s anti-metabolic syndrome song that’s sweeping the nation and got my toes tapping. I couldn’t make this up if I wanted to:

Goodbye, metabolic. Let’s get our checkups together. Go! Go! Go!
Goodbye, metabolic. Don’t wait till you get sick. No! No! No!

Do you think the Japanese have the right idea? Would an approach like this work here in the States? Let us know what you think and comment below.

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