How Japan escaped Obesity while America got Fat

[Winston]

@Yohan wow check out this video on why Japanese people are much skinner than Americans. Did you lose weight when you went to Japan?

[Yohan]

@Yohan wow check out this video on why Japanese people are much skinner than Americans. Did you lose weight when you went to Japan?

I would not compare Japanese people (who are 96 % Japanese) with citizens living in the States, where population is mixed up, black, white, mixed race, natives etc.

AI overview:
In the United States, Black women experience disproportionately high rates of obesity compared to other racial and ethnic groups. Approximately 60% of Black women are classified as obese based on a BMI of 30 kg/m2 or higher. This is significantly higher than the rates for white and Hispanic women. Several factors contribute to this disparity, including social determinants of health, lifestyle factors, and genetic predispositions.
Here's a more detailed look:
Prevalence:
Black women have the highest rates of obesity in the US, with over half classified as obese and a large percentage also overweight.
Comparison to other groups:
Black women are 70% more likely to be obese than non-Hispanic white women.
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Are 75% of Americans obese?
Nearly 75% of U.S. adults are overweight or obese. Feb 23, 2025

About myself, I did not change much, my BMI is about 26 to 27, a little overweight, but not obese - regardless if I am in Japan, Thailand or Philippines.

Many Japanese are a bit overweight too, but only about 2 % show up with a BMI 30+.

You will notice that Japanese people are walking a lot or using a bicycle. It is said, that even Japanese families who are really rich and own a Rolls Royce or other very expensive car still have their bicycles AND the entire family is using them almost daily, for going shopping, to school etc.

Also users of public transport are walking a considerable distance every day when they have to change train between stations.

In Japan I live near a river and forests. If the weather is ok, I am walking around outdoors every day for 2 hours, despite I have 2 cars and 1 motorcycle.
If the weather is bad, I use the public bus, going to a large shopping mall or shopping street with roof in the city and walk around there.

Here in Japan you need not to be worried about safety, so you can walk everywhere, anytime. In USA often people using their cars even for very short distances - I think this also makes a difference.

[fschmidt]

Yes, I lose weight whenever I visit Japan.

[kangarunner]

Best thing about Japan is their porn production there. Hopefully I'll go there after Taiwan and go to some underground BDSM places. Tons of fetishes in Tokyo.