Why is it so Easy to be Thin in Japan?

[YoshidaYui]

[PoindexterOglethorpe]

1. How very interesting.

Thank you for posting this.

[JI7]

2. It's all about access , options, affordability, and convenience

We can see this just in the US also where obesity is higher among lower income groups. Because low income areas are more likely to only have cheap fast food . Even places with things like salads and grilled chicken sandwiches which are considered healthy are likely to cost a lot more. While the dollar menu is full of unhealthy food.

Convenience is a huge thing because the fact is many people don't have the time or just don't want to cook regularly everyday for whatever reason.

I have seen some youtube videos on 7-11s in Japan and if I ever go there i'm going to check it out. As this video says it's not that it's totally healthy but it's not unhealthy either. It's cheap and acceptable if you don't want to spend too much and just want something right away. And everyone has access to it .

Add to this having outdoor and walking spaces for people and that's the solution to dealing with the obesity problem in the long term.

[BigmanPigman]

3. I watched an interviewer on TV in Japan

ask this same question to people who live there and they all had the same answer....

"Americans eat A LOT". It's true, just look at the size of portions in the US. And if the food is full af oil and salt guess what happens, you gain weight. Rocket science.

[PoindexterOglethorpe]

4. So true.

At the beginning of March 2020 I went on a cruise to Hawaii. It was a WONDERFUL cruise, a delayed 70th birthday present to myself. I was very aware that most people gained weight on a cruise, and I was determined not to let that happen to me. So I ate much less than I might have, but still ate well enough. On my return home, some 18 days after starting out, I weighed exactly what I did when I set out for the cruise. Hooray!

I've long been aware of how huge portions in restaurants are. I appreciate dining with companions who are willing to share. Or I take much of my meal home.

About a year ago I decided it was time to lose weight. I'd been overweight for far too long. I was able to get my BMI from 31.6, just into the obesity category, to 24.5, at the upper end of normal. I would like to lose a bit more weight, but I'm very happy with my results so far. I'm fortunate in that my appetite has diminished a lot in recent years. I'm 72 years old, which is probably a factor. I generally eat one meal a day, and I'm satisfied with that. In my youth I had a great appetite, and could eat second and third helpings quite readily. I was also more active than I have been in recent years.

But back to the original point. Restaurant portions are HUGE, far above what any of us need to eat. I find it very frustrating that if I go to a bakery, the size of their baked goods are vastly larger than I want to eat. Sigh.

[BigmanPigman]

5. I know...

when I used to eat out I always got doggie bags. My problem is that I live in a way that allows me to eat whatever, whenever I want. So, I eat little bites all day and night (I love the taste of food, it's not to feel full). My doctor has told me it is a healthy way of eating actually. I know my stomach has shrunk since other people seem to be eating more than me at the same event.

[Buckeye_Democrat]

6. Food is more expensive and their infrastructure...

... promotes more walking -- e.g., less privately-owned motorized transportation.