Obesity in Japan

Japan is an island country located in East Asia and Southeast Asia. It is known for its low obesity rate, which was 4.3% among adults in 2016, ranking it 186th globally. This is significantly lower than the global average of 13% in the same year.

Obesity in Japan

The low rate of obesity in Japan is attributed to a number of factors, including dietary habits, physical activity levels, and public health initiatives. The Japanese diet is traditionally rich in fish, vegetables, and rice, with a low intake of fats and sugars. Regular physical activity is also a part of daily life for many Japanese people.

Despite the low overall obesity rate, Japan faces challenges in addressing overweight and obesity in certain populations, such as older adults and people living in rural areas. The government has implemented various measures to tackle these issues, including the Metabo Law introduced in 2008, which requires adults aged 40 to 74 to have their waistlines measured annually in an effort to combat metabolic syndrome.

Healthcare Facilities for Weight Loss

Japan has a number of well-known healthcare facilities that offer programs for weight loss and management. These include:

• The National Center for Global Health and Medicine, which provides comprehensive medical services and conducts research on various health issues, including obesity.
• St. Luke's International Hospital, a leading healthcare provider in Tokyo that offers a range of services, including nutritional counseling and weight management programs.
• Tokyo Metropolitan Hiroo Hospital, which has a specialized department for lifestyle-related diseases, including obesity.

See Also

• Healthcare in Japan
• Obesity in Asia
• List of countries by body mass index