Why There are Fewer Obese People in JapanMar 31 '08 (Updated Apr 04 '08) Write an essay on this topic.
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The Bottom Line Just because Japanese people use Stevia instead of high fructose corn syrup doesn't explain why there are fewer obese Japanese than obese Americans.
Recently, a friend of mine shared an article with me regarding the dangers of high fructose corn syrup: (http://www.femhealth.com/DangersofHFCS.html). In that article, the author convincingly used statistical data and research to show that high fructose corn syrup, which has become the sweetener of choice in the United States, has contributed to obesity in the U.S. Indeed, it cannot be overstated that Americans, by and large (no pun intended), are getting heavier and heavier with the average American male now weighing 191 pounds! However, there was one section of that article about which I must comment: Question of the decade: Why doesn't the FDA approve stevia as a sweetener? Stevia was introduced in the 1970s in Japan and accounts for over 40% of the sweetener market there. It is also commonly used in South America. Only 24 percent of Japanese aged 15 and older are believed to be overweight, compared to over 65 percent of adults in the United States. After having lived in Japan for six years, I can safely contend that the implicit connection the author attempted to make between the use of Stevia and the relatively low obesity rate of Japanese people is coincidental. Indeed, as far as I know, high fructose corn syrup has not attained the prevalence of use that America has, but there are actually many factors that contribute to a lower obesity rate among Japanese people. Based on my personal experiences, here are some of those factors: • Availability of public transportation While Americans (especially on the West Coast and in non-urban areas) largely rely on personal transportation (i.e. cars), Japanese people often have one or two different rail options, as well as buses, upon which they rely for transportation. The use of public transportation compels people to have to walk or ride a bicycle to the closest train station or bus stop; even the short distance that they may travel is more exercise than most Americans get daily. • Smaller portion sizes In the United States, one can pay $8.00 to get a full American-sized plate of food at Denny’s or Appleby’s. Conversely, take the same plate to Japan and you may be less than half that amount for the same price (for 820 yen or so). Generally, restaurant food is more expensive in Japan per weight. This is not to say you do not get enough food in Japan, but Americans get more food for the same money. Interestingly, based on my personal experience, you can get a good amount of Japanese cuisine for a reasonable price (one lunchbox costs about $4.25), and that food is often healthier than what can be purchased here at the same price: rice, fish or chicken, tsukemono (pickled vegetables), and a cabbage salad. • Limited availability of free refills In Japan, free refills are not nearly as common as in the United States. Here, gallons of soda (laced with that wonderful high fructose corn syrup) can be consumed unconscionably; whereas, in Japan, there are no refills AND cup sizes are smaller. For example, the “S” size at MacDonald’s in the U.S. would be the “L” size in Japan. So, not only do you get no refills, but you drink less soda. • Social “acceptability” of personal locomotion for commuting In Japan, riding a bicycle or walking to school/work are relatively commonplace. Furthermore, Japanese people seem to accept walking as a socially natural way to conduct daily affairs, i.e. favoring long shopping “arcades” over localized malls. In my time in Japan, taking a train to the city and walking in the city were considered natural and preferable to paying exorbitant inner-city parking fees. I believe this was not just an economic concern, but also a social one; a great deal of socialization occurs on foot in Japan. On the other hand, I believe that America is a country of “sitting” socialization; people sit in coffee shops, restaurants, or their cars to socialize. *** Just based on observation, Japanese people are much more compelled by society and economics to eat less and exercise more than the U.S. In Japan, to eat the same amount of food as Americans do, you have to pay much more. This is not to say that you cannot eat on a budget in Japan; contrary to popular belief, buying groceries in Japan (outside of Tokyo and Osaka) can be only a bit more expensive than America (if you avoid beef, melons, and non-indigenous foods). Likewise, gas ($1.10 per liter as of 2004), parking lot/structure fees, home parking space fees (almost every apartment complex charges for this), shaken (biennial vehicle inspection fees, often costing $1,000 or more), and driving classes (to get a license, a Japanese person spends $2,000 or more) are expensive; thus, walking, riding a bicycle, and/or taking public transportation are almost encouraged in the face of economic considerations. Beyond these considerations, though, is the absence of the social stigma of walking from home to work or shopping in Japan that exists in the U.S. From what I have witnessed in the U.S., there is “shame” in walking from home to shopping. Of course, this may change with rising gas prices (economics spurring social change) and (at least in southern California) the increasing availability of local rail (Metrolink). But, whether it be for lack of time, lack of energy, or sheer distance from shopping, Americans find more reasons to not walk or ride their bicycles than their Japanese counterparts. European and many urban American readers may not be able to relate to that idea, but I contend that the aversion to walking locally is just as crucial a contributor to obesity in America as high fructose corn syrup, not to mention free refills and excessive food portions.  |
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