Since the 1970s, people have been getting fatter and fatter. This has led to a global “obesity crisis” that began in rich countries like the United States and Australia, and has spread to developing countries like Mexico and Indonesia. Japan has been a bright spot in the world regarding obesity. Japan’s obesity rate has risen since the 1970s, but much slower than most other countries. Currently, only 3.6% of the country is obese, the lowest of any rich country.

Even before the obesity crisis, Japan was not a fat country, but other previously thin countries like France, Italy, and Korea, have had much larger increases in obesity. Researchers from the University of Minnesota and the Institute of Childhood Obesity have looked at how Japan has been successful at fighting obesity. Other countries may be able to learn from Japan’s example. There are many reasons for Japan’s low obesity rate, including higher food prices, smaller sizes, more walking (and less driving), but one of the most interesting reasons may be efforts made in schools. Health educators say that schools might be important for helping control the obesity problem.

First of all, food experts plan lunch at school. School workers make sure that lunch is filled with plenty of vegetables and fish. Also, most schools do not have vending machines with high-calorie junk food. In many other countries, schools give students many choices, including less healthy options. Most schools also have vending machines with soda and candy.

Another factor is that students in Japan must take home economics. Home economics became a school subject like English and science 22 years ago. Now all students must take home economics, where they learn about meal planning, cooking, and health. In other countries, it is an optional class. Perhaps the lessons in home economics help students think about healthy food more carefully.

While Japanese people have gotten fatter, the rate is not growing much. Other countries are trying similar policies. In the United States, Michelle Obama was leading the fight against obesity and helped pass rules to make lunch at school healthier. Maybe other countries will take lessons from Japan’s largely successful fight against obesity.

Since the 1970s, people have been getting fatter and fatter. This has caused a global obesity problem. It began in rich countries like the United States and Australia, but now is a problem in poorer countries like Mexico and Indonesia. Japan has a much smaller problem with obesity. Japan’s obesity rate is higher than in the 1970s, but it is growing much slower than most other countries. Currently, only 3.6% of the country is obese, the lowest of any rich country.

Even before the obesity problem, Japan was not a fat country, but in other thin countries like France, Italy, and Korea, obesity has gone up a lot. Researchers from the University of Minnesota and the Institute of Childhood Obesity have looked at how Japan has been successful at fighting obesity. Other countries may be able to learn from Japan’s example. There are many reasons for Japan’s low obesity rate. Food in Japan is more expensive, sizes are smaller, and people walk more and drive less. Another interesting reason might be schools. Health teachers say that school programs help control the obesity problem.

First of all, lunch at school is carefully planned. School workers make sure that lunch has a lot of vegetables and fish. Also, most schools do not have vending machines with potato chips, cakes, and other unhealthy food. In many other countries, schools give students many choices. Sometimes, students choose less healthy food. Many schools also have vending machines with unhealthy food.

Students in Japan also must take home economics in school. Home economics became a subject like English and science 22 years ago. Now all students must take home economics. Students learn about meal planning, cooking, and health. In other countries, students don’t have to take home economics, so maybe they know less about food. Perhaps the lessons in home economics help students think more about healthy food.

While Japanese people have gotten fatter, the rate is not growing much. Other countries are trying similar policies. In the United States, Michelle Obama was fighting against obesity. She helped pass rules to make lunch at school healthier. Maybe other countries will take lessons from Japan’s largely successful fight against obesity.