 |
| Weight problem |
Japanese diet, rich in fish and vegetable, has been
responsible for keeping Japan
among the thinnest industrialized nations. However, now Japan
is concerned about too many young women getting too thin. According to the
Health Ministry, an estimated 29% of Japanese women in their 20s are
underweight which could have adverse effects on fertility rates.
The issue is considered a national health problem because Japan
has an aging population and it also happens to have one of the lowest birthrates
in the
world. The government is working to improve national health and aims to
reduce the number of underweight women.
However, Japanese men seem to have opposite problem where
about 40 percent of middle age men are overweight. In an effort to improve
national health, waistline measurements are necessary for the age group 40 -74 during
annual health checkup. Those who fail to meet ideal waistline standards (33.5
inches for men and 35.4 inches for women) are required to work with a counselor
to slim down to better health.
One would wish, the Americans had this kind of problem of being too
thin.
----
