5 Big Key Factors Why Japan Has a Very Low Obesity Rate ( Part 1 )

The aim of this article is for you to trace the causes of obesity or for you to confirm the health and fitness principles that you already know while at the same time you will also be able to enjoy discovering some interesting ideas that you may learn from Japanese People. Are your weight loss methods the same as these Japanese? Well let’s check that out.

I’m so surprised to discover how low the recorded obesity rate Japan has as of August 9, 2019 according to World Population Review. It’s indicated there that while American Samoa has 74.60%, then rich and well developed countries like the United States has 36.20%, Canada has 29.40%, United Kingdom with 27.80%, Japan only has a stunning 4.3% obesity rate.

When it comes to BMI or Body Mass Index average, other well known countries has 27 and above while Japan has only 22.6 average BMI. The normal Body Mass Index is from 18.5 to 24.9.

Many tourists already witnessed that they seldom see fat or overweight Japanese and with their keen observations, their assumptions always point out to these 5 Major Factors.

Factor #1: Foods and Manner of Eating

Yes we will talk about foods first. For this has always been a Top Major Factor for the changing of weight of an individual. Even with this factor alone, it can make a huge difference in your weight loss journey. Other than that, you will later clearly understand why popular Japanese foods such as Maki, Nigiri or Sushi’s way of serving matters in this topic. You will discover it after combining the Insights of Factors number 1, 2 and 5.

Concerning meats, “Fish” was the most priority in Japanese Cuisines. And we know that other meats like pork, beef and lamb has more saturated fats while the unsaturated fats found in fish have health benefits. Having this seafood as main option for meat filled dishes is already a big component for better physical wellness and what makes it more interesting is that it is served only in small portions and small servings compared to other countries where food is served in huge amounts plus bigger servings per meal. The amount of servings of food also makes a remarkable difference when it comes to digestion. For those who do not know yet, digestion needs a greater amount of energy to perform its work compared to other body processes so if you eat fast and with big portions, chances are your body will have a hard time breaking down or digesting all the foods specially if what you eat has very low nutritional value.

Another idea about Japanese foods was the variety of healthy choices. It has been part of their culture to teach their children to aim eating 30 different foods a day. For us, that could be so challenging because we are used to eat only few kinds daily but to them, it is easily achievable and this every day goal will provide them with a diversity of nutrients that will enable every parts of their body to perform better.

Part of the various healthy food options that they have are naturally fermented food products like Natto Beans, Soy sauce, Miso, pickled vegetables and Umeboshi which make their meals more potential and fortified.

Some say you must avoid carbs to keep away from obesity. But Japanese people always eat foods with carbs. In fact, sushi or maki has carbs. Isn’t it confusing? Well, I do believe that carbohydrates or carbs was just introduced with incomplete information. Because vegetables, fruits, legumes, nuts, grains and seeds contain carbs. Now many called it as “Good Carbs”. So the point is, you still need the right amount of “Good Carbs” to have enough energy for your body.

In regards to the manner of eating, they usually eat by using chopsticks. It may look like inconvenient for others to use this but as I look at it, seems like it adds up to their health strategy. It’s because chopsticks will undeniably make you eat slower and in smaller amounts per bite thus making the digestion process easier.

Factor #2: Drinks

Having green tea and water as their main beverage or drinks was not an easy thing to implement nationwide because of the presence of big soda companies that’s popular around the world but somehow, Japan managed to maintain these healthy drinks as priorities for hydration.

Tourists have observed that hot green tea or water are easily accesible at almost all Japanese Restaurants there. It’s either it will be served to them before meal or after meal. Amazingly, hot teas boost your metabolism and cuts down excess fats.

In connection to calories, hot green tea has only tiny amounts of it per cup and some say it is almost zero compared to sodas which has around 140 to 150 per 12 ounce.

Vending machines in Japan, as one of the modern ways to avail drinks might astonish you with the set of product options displayed there. Because it is not dominated with sodas but with water and cold teas. So I also agree that what you drink is also a big check factor to consider in changing your weight. By the way, Factor #2 and Factor #4 are somehow also connected to each other.

Then how about this one question; Why are there only few obese Japanese if many of them even don’t go to gyms to workout?

Is the question pertaining to the hard physical activities to burn extra fats? Well I think whether they go to gym to workout or not, they are already seriously physically active. You will see the answers in the next Key Factor…….

Ooooooops…

Sorry guys, this is it only for now for Part 1, I hope somehow you enjoyed some discoveries. As much as possible, I have wanted to compress all the 5 Key Factors in one post but it will be so much information and long. Link for Part 2 is just below.

Have you visited Japan and somehow related to some things I’ve discussed? If yes, please share in the comments below to make this topic more interesting.

If you have other interesting topics that you want me to discuss that connects to Health and Fitness, you may also comment it below for me to know the topics you like. Good day everyone.