"Goodbye Metabo"
In Japan as of some months ago, there recently came about a campaign by the government to lower the waistlines of its citizens
Since Japan isn't a country know for overweight people, it surprised me that this law would even exist.
This national "metabo" law came into effect by The Ministry of Health, primarily due to the rise of lifestyle illnesses amongst the middle aged. As a result, the local government must measure the waistlines of 40-74 year olds(about 44% of the entire population) across the country during annual checkups, holding companies that the people work for liable as well as local governments by taxing them. "Metabo" is Japanese shorthand for Metabolic syndrome, which encompasses diseases such as high blood pressure,diabetes and stroke.
The waistline limits that the government imposed for men are about 33.5 inches for men and 35.4 for women. Japanese men have it a bit harder than women, because in the past 10 years, the waistlines amongst this age demographic has increased by 10%, whereas the women about 6%.
“I don’t think the campaign will have any positive effect." says Ousugi Yoichi, a medical professor and expert on public health. "Now if you did this in the United States, there would be benefits, since there are many Americans who weigh more than 100 kilograms,” or about 220 pounds, Ogushi said. “But the Japanese are so slender that they can’t afford to lose weight.”
Do you think the United States government should come up with a weight loss plan for its citizens? Or would you live in a country where the government regulated its middle aged to waistline restrictions such as this?
"Goodbye Metabo"
True
Comments (73)
I think it would make MAJOR progress here... then again, don't think the gov. is gonna pass thiss.
YES! America needs it haha.
I think we should
The US definitely needs it but it'll never happen.
I don't think it should be a law, but I do think there should be much more education available and that it should be a law to make sure that the majority of us understand nutrition via schools and doctors. I was overweight most of my life and never knew it until my health started deteriorating. I didn't comprehend that "normal" didn't always constitute healthy. I think education would not only lessen obesity but also curb crash diets and other unhealthy things.
pfft if they had this in the US be prepared for tons of lawsuits and riots popping up
If we had this in the United States, it would be unconstitutional. The government is not supposed to have this much control over our lives...if people gain weight, it is their own buisness and right. I don't think that this is right in Japan either, honestly...
First of all, it's not the government's business. (this coming from my American limited-government perspective, but that is something I value) And, if it is their business, they need better guidelines. One-size-fits-all rules for waist measurement or weight are discriminatory against tall people. We're not necessarily made to have the same waist as someone shorter.
Very much so, but I can only begin to imagine what people would say about it. It goes against our rights, forcing us to be under a certain weight limit, even though it is, in the end, beneficial to us.
Now that so many people are out of jobs, eating too much should be the last thing on people's minds.
No, because this would be against the Bill of Rights, unless if 75% of Americans vote for this type of law to pass.
I think we need it also, so we can think about living a healthier life as a nation.
And what would happen if they went over an inch? A fine? Are there free fitness programs for this demographic, or are they just supposed to drink less sake?
i think it would be good for people's health in other countries. and not only in united states.. but i never thought of it being a law though. ><
It would be great for this country's health, but I can't ever see it happening. It wouldn't go farther than a dinner conversation at the president's table.
... or something along those lines!
@sweetdispositionn@xanga - I don't think it's consitutional to have random searches , but we didn't get a saying in it. Bottom line is, if Americans want it bad enough, it can be achieved. Lobbist will be the first to go against such law.
this makes me giggle. No I don't think the government should take control of our health.
No because it's wrong. It's a lifestyle choice and forcing people to change is wrong.
Wouldn't happen in America, the government doesn't have that power.
I have heard of companies that will refuse health benefits (or charge for health benefit) for any employees who do not meet a set health standard set by the company, so under a certain weight or having a certain waistline. Don't recall if it was in America, but the company defended this choice by saying it forces employees to take charge of their own health, and has saved the company a ton of money because their insurance costs went way down when they stopped being responsible for unhealthy workers.
I think that might be more beneficial in more American companies.... but like I said, run and regulated through the companies, not the government.
Fat Americans = Sick Americans.
Sick Americans = Americans going to doctors (if they are lucky)
Doctors treating fat sick americans = money
Doctors prescribing meds or surgery = more money
Government helping fat people lose weight = costs for the government
costs for the government that they don't want to spend = not gonna happen.
Yeah, it’s true. Japan isn’t a country who is known for overweight people. There people maintain their waistline.
Good God, man, do you work for Xanga or something? You have like, a post in every ish site and they all involve Asians.
@cutesycharm@xanga - Well the problem is when the sick americans in question are poor Americans who can't afford their own healthcare. Then sick Americans = cost for government since the gov ends up paying for it.
I've read about this before, and while it's an interesting concept, the nanny-state issues would be a problem here where we have more restrictions on government power. So I don't see it happening in the US.
Everyone in America bitches about the obesity epidemic being horrible, and how being overweight is horrible, so I'd say it's a good idea to try it. But if the government were to try it, the moment they would start.. everyone would complain about it not being politically correct.
It sounds a bit harsh to me to tax people for being overweight. How about paying overweight people $100 for every 10 kilograms they lose (with some guidelines in place of course)? This would encourage people to shed some kilos and governments would save money from healthcare/medical costs.
-Heidi
I can't believe anyone in America is even discussing passing this as a law. What, you haven't had enough personal freedoms taken away lately? Yeah, let's go as far as how you look.