How the Okinawans Got Fat

It's because of all the junk food that they are eating nowadays. Fried foods, processed foods, and trans-fatty junk.

wow, i had no idea that the american administration was forcing okinawans to eat food they didnt want to eat.

oh, thats right, they werent.

the fat f**** had a choice, just like everyone else does. whats a real shame is that instead of looking in the mirror and blaming their fat asses on the fact that they cannot stop shoveling hamburgers and french fries into their mouths, they have people like you to write articles like this for them and all but absolve them of their personal negligence.

Yeah, well thought out, James. But I imagine your comment would have been less redundant if that hadn't been the POINT OF THE ARTICLE.

Yes it's a shame, but Okinawa is special because it brings into extremely sharp focus the choices we have... Do we choose the way of the elders or the way of the convenience.

I'm sure in time all these issues will work themselves out and the likes of you and I will be redundant. I doubt I will live to see it but here's hoping. In the mean time too many are suffering needlessly. Grr

I'm not sure I saw where there was proof that the obesity rate is directly linked to American fast food - but maybe I missed the study that was done. Linking 2 events that occured over the same period of time should not result in a causative conclusion (same thing happened with an artificial sweetener and it's link to cancer). Were there other life changing events that occured at the same time? Were there more cars, more jobs, more sedentary jobs - less exercise?

Sorry, it's a pet peeve of mine to see 'statistics' being abused.

Tanya,

I must concur with you about the abuse of statistics! Thanks for raising this point on the blog. Repeat after me folks "Correlation does not equal causation!"

That said, the other aspects that could be contributing (i.e. more cars, more sedentary jobs) seem to represent the "American lifestyle" so even it wasn't directly the junk food, it seems that where North Americans go, their health problems follow!! It's sad that in a few short generations some of the healthiest people on Earth have succumbed to this fate.

psychsarah said:
other aspects that could be contributing (i.e. more cars, more sedentary jobs) seem to represent the "American lifestyle" so even it wasn't directly the junk food,[...]

psychsarah said:
Repeat after me folks "Correlation does not equal causation!"[...]

Ah, the mantra chanted by large corporations the world over. It's that old excuse "but it hasn't been proven beyond doubt yet that OUR product is what's making everyone sick" that has slowed the process of eliminating the toxic waste disguised and marketed as food from store shelves and restaurants. Gut instinct and common sense tell me that it is MOST likely the change in diet that has caused the rise in obesity, with other western influences having a lesser impact (but an impact nonetheless).

tanya said:
Sorry, it's a pet peeve of mine to see 'statistics' being abused.[...]

That is what scientists do every day, only it's supposedly more credible because they are 'qualified'.

It could be anything, even just seeing more (fatter) Americans everyday that eschewed their perceptions of what is an acceptable size, it could be anything, but the fact remains: in the most Westernized part of Japan, obesity statistics are out of sync with the rest of the country, as Ryan said.

I lived in Okinawa Nov. 3-28, 2006. I never really saw any of this obesity among the Okinawans. Well, except a few people down in Naha City.

98% of the fat people I saw in Okinawa were US Airforce personel at Kadena AFB. Heck, they have several fast food restaurants on base, including a Chili's Restaurant. Being at Kadena was just like being in America.

R. McLain

Good point, Robert.

Another reason that obesity may have risen is because of the American servicemen there. That is, they father many half-American children. (Okinawa has the largest population of what are called "halfs" in Japan--as well as the largest population of single mothers.) If you're introducing American genes and American eating habits? Bye-bye slim Okinawans.

ok... I live in Okinawa, Japan and I'm half Okinawan and half white. and nobody. NOBODY. that is half Okinawan (that I know at least) is fat. their either skinny as hell or average.

Not only Okinawans but all people today are unhealthy due to many reasons such as lack of exercises, ...

Interestingly none of the comments are mentioning diabetes. As far as I am aware of a person can not tell if another has diabetes by lookings at them. Steanie sees no fat people but I don't think being fat is a requirement of the disease. A stat was mentioned and dispite all the gray areas of opinions it's higher among the Okinawans of this current generation than it was amount the elders.
It's also intersting how common very hostile commentary, like that of Sean, attacks peoples "personal negligence". Perhaphs no one is physically forced to eat fast food, but what if a communities personal choices have been limited? What if fresh fruit and vegetables and other historical food choices have been limited or risen in cost and then a cheap convenient fast food place comes in to the neighborhood with a 22 million dollar ad campaign? I bet many Okinawans have a tv or two in their home. How conditioned are you by your choices?

Traditional Okinawan food is a bit greasier than traditional Japanese food. Unlike their Japanese cousins, Okinawans eat a lot of pork, especially the fat. Even though Okinawa is an island, seafood is not the main source of protein. Most of its catches were shipped to mainland Japan. Even when it is eaten, the most common way of preparation is frying.

Lifestyle has something to do with the obesity problem as well. Unlike other part of Japan, Okinawans aren't as dependent on public transportation (lack of railroads, heat/humidity, busses not available in many parts of the prefecture, etc.) hence very little walking in their everyday lifestyle. I think being a bit more layback than average Japanese may also be a contributing factor.

I don't think western fastfood is solely to blame because access to western fastfood is so much easier in Tokyo (which ranked among the lowest rate of obesity among women in Japan) than in Okinawa (no. 1 in obesity).

Another reason is perhaps due to genetics. Okinawans aren't as tall as the other Japanese prefectures and could get fat a little easier.

With all of the articles written daily about the difficulty of finding right sized clothing there are at least 4000 Big and Tall Men’s or Plus Sized Women’s clothing stores right here in the USA. There are also hundreds of online clothing merchants for large people. Sure, sometimes you have to try on a couple dozen pair of jeans to find one that comes close but at least you know how they are going to fit before you leave the store. Some stores will even make a computer template of your shape and make clothes guaranteed to fit. So all things considered, you should be able to find clothing that fits appropriately.
So who is addressing all of the other products and accessories that can make the impossible/possible and the uncomfortable/enjoyable? How many products have you seen with the usable weight capacity clearly marked on the box? Products that help you live a full and satisfying life at whatever weight and size you might happen to be? Products that cater to heavier weight capacities and are built Ford Truck Tough!
Try the MySizeUSA.com web site. Not only do they sell products for Big Beautiful Women and Big Handsome Men they also have a Big Kids category. Ironically many of these Big Kids products are also right sized for adults to encourage a little fun family home night competition.
So if you are tired of plodding through endless malls where you already know that portable beach chairs, bicycles, and pretty much everything else will be built for someone other than you, than give MySizeUSA.com a try. Besides, you won’t have to try anything on in a micro sized dressing room also built for someone other than you.

zack said:
MySizeUSA.com web site

I was hoping you'd just sell guns for those people to shoot themselves with.

Ok, so I'm kidding (sort of). But there's a big kernel of truth behind the joke. Anyone who's let themselves go so far as to be of a different dimension than normal humanity, doesn't need another crutch. They need a change.

Well thats one persons view on it, however for the large population of people out there, it might be nice for once to find something that will not break or crumble under there weight the first time they use it.

When you are encouraged and often forced to abandon your traditional lifestyle, culture and language, it becomes difficult to maintain eating habits your grandparents may have upheld. Okinawans have often been placed in the awkward position of not being totally accepted by the japanese and not fitting in with americans either. so it would be logical that they would try the food and culture of the many americans occupying the island. its a known fact that mcdonald's and other fast food chains heavily research psychological motivators and try their best to get people hooked on their food (read fast food nation). as soon as you step into the SAD its very difficult to get out of the habit. i think you're an opinionated yet ignorant individual who speaks fiercely with no knowledge of the subject at hand. people like you will ensure that NO progress is ever made.

Seems to me that obesity is just another distraction just another sale....you know what i mean...it's the capitalist way...let's talk about the genocide we are commiting in Iraq..FACT to date and broadcast live on the box...was this....the scence condellesa rice answering questions to the press pack in the shithouse a reporter asked this question and i quote.."Do you think a half a million dead Iraqi children under the age of five is a price worth paying for sanctions" and the answer from this so called religious moralistic freak was "YES..WE THINK THE PRICE IS WORTH IT" our imperialist capatilist nature is not just causing little things like obesity but destroying the whole goddamn planet....A government report just realeased sats this...that in 15 to 17 years time thats all humanity will be talking about and fighting about is FOOD ENERGY AND WATER....time to get a grip my fellow men and women...the airwaves are full of pointless distractions...how about we get a site together to try and save our goddamn specieswe're wobbling guys where's our so called creative intelligence when you need it huh?

it's mine they say...it's mine you say....but that's just an excuse to kill again....and have we learned..i think not...and i'm sorry to say we're gonna blow the lot....with every discovery we shorten our reign...never again to enjoy a day...and aleins from outer space ..we don't need them to destroy our race...a pound a dollar yen or rupi..these are the weapons that we all need to fuel our quest in the name of greed...pathetic is'nt it because there is no prize...will we ever ever realise...........