In 2008, Japan enacted the Metabolic Syndrome Countermeasures Act as a new health mandate for its citizens. Contrary to public misconception, the Metabo Act does not criminalize obesity. Instead, the law is designed to encourage citizens to lose weight if needed to improve their health. Includes annual waist measurements for people between the ages of 45 and 74. If the numbers are outside the standard, people are offered professional counseling to help them make lifestyle changes.
The Rise of Obesity Worldwide
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According to the World Health Organization (WHO), obesity has become a major health issue worldwide. The WHO says global obesity rates have more than doubled since the 1990s, and youth obesity rates have quadrupled. The organization defines obesity as a “It is a chronic, relapsing disease that results from a complex interaction between genetics, neurobiology, diet, access to healthy food, market forces, and the wider environment..” Other causes may include medications, disease, inactivity, and lack of exercise. A diagnosis of obesity is made after taking measurements, such as weight and height to calculate BMI, and waist circumference.
The measure uses waist measurement as opposed to BMI (Body Mass Index) because BMI does not directly calculate body fat. In fact, some athletes in tip-top shape may be “fat” because of their height and weight ratio. Alternatively, measuring the waist can provide a more accurate reading of body fat percentage. Obesity is an urgent health concern due to its association with metabolic syndrome, which is a group of conditions such as high blood pressure, high blood sugar levels, low cholesterol levels, etc. These problems increase the risk of other conditions, including type 2 diabetes, digestive disorders, shortness of breath, heart disease, stroke, organ damage, mental problems, and cancer, according to the Cleveland Clinic.
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Despite the Metabo Law, the rise of global obesity is still visible in Japan, WHO reports 3.4% of adult obesity in 2008 and 5.5% in 2022. That’s still far better than countries like the US where there is a 42% prevalence of obesity in adults. The Metabo Act is intended as a preventive measure to lower health care costs for the elderly.
So the Japanese Ministry of Health said that men should have waists less than 33.5 in (85 cm) for men and 35.4 in (90 cm) for women. Those outside of this range need to talk to a counselor or medical professional about improving their health. This check-in is done annually at the workplaces. Individuals do not suffer direct consequences for obesity, but companies and local governments can receive financial penalties if a certain percentage of their citizens are overweight. This encourages businesses to be more aware of the health of their employees. They may incorporate disease prevention methods such as nutrition seminars, morning exercise, and joint sports challenges to encourage physical activity.
Many Americans may not support this type of legislation, considering the violation of privacy and personal freedom. However, many locals welcome the policy, and believe it shows how the government cares about health and longevity, said Japanese publication Gaya One. Since the program focuses on encouraging good habits, not punishing bad ones, it has cultivated a lot of goodwill. However, many are criticizing the Metabo Act, calling it offensive and discriminatory against big bodies.
What Makes Japan a Healthy Country?
Health awareness is not limited to those who work. Japanese schools have a lunch program that provides nutrition and nutrition education. The menu is uniform, offering a main course, main dish, side dish, drink and dessert, according to a 2019 article in the Journal of Public Health. Nutritional standards for each meal are regulated by the School Lunch Program Act. Meanwhile, Japan has one of the longest life expectancies in the world, the 2025 study reports. This may come as a surprise since regular exercise is common for older people, including calisthenics, resistance training, walking, dancing, sports, yoga, and more.
In general, typical Japanese food is very different from American food. Even their fast food, while similarly high in sodium and refined carbohydrates, includes smaller portions and fresh ingredients. The traditional Japanese diet often includes fish, soybeans and fermented soybean products, rice, green tea, and whole fruits and vegetables, according to a 2020 review in the European Journal of Clinical Nutrition.
Eating habits are different too. There is a common attitude about what food you should eat until you are 80% full. And instead of loading food onto a large plate, they eat from small bowls and enjoy a variety of dishes, including soups and sides. Many diets help to break down food while providing adequate protein, fiber, carbohydrates, vitamins, and probiotics. This rotational style of eating can help people feel satisfied as they go about their day. Although US citizens are unlikely to adopt the Metabo Act, they may benefit from familiarizing themselves with certain aspects of Japanese health culture.
Read more: 15 Habits to Help Lose Weight While You Sleep
