Japanese 10-Times Slimmer Than Americans

The Korea Times has posted this chart created by blogger Wellington Grey, which is based on recent obesity statistics:

A larger version of the chart can be viewed here or buy a poster of it here.

[Via Lost Nomad]

13 comments - What do you think? Posted by James - May 13, 2007 at 5:46 pm

Categories: General Japan Tags:

http://www.WellingtonGrey.net/ grey

Thank you for linking to my site.

-Grey
Sonagi

The only problem I have with the chart is that it makes it appear we Americans are the fattest people on earth. We aren’t. That honor belongs to Saudi Arabia. We are #3 behind Panama. Moreover, rates of obesity are climbing so rapidly in some countries that I expect we’ll be bumped further down in the rankings.
http://www.keepingpaceinjapan.com Turner

If you’re talking about pound-for-pound with Saudi Arabia, that’s hardly the point. Percentage wise, Americans are still disgustly obese. I attribute that to our food portions.
Sonagi

It IS the point. The chart reflects only developed countries, yet obesity is becoming a global epidemic. Americans aren’t the only people who are “disgustingly obese” and obesity rates are rising rapidly in developing countries whose health care systems are ill-equipped to deal with its consequences – heart disease, stroke, and diabetes.

http://www.iotf.org/database/GlobalPrevalenceofAdultObesityFeb07.mht

Sorry to rain on your “I hate fat Americans” parade.
taipan

Hmmmmm. haaaam!!!
-Homer Simpson
http://www.WellingtonGrey.net/ grey

Thank you for linking to my site and letting me know that I’ve appeared in a newspaper.

-Grey
Asuka

Hmm, did someone forget to put China on the world map?

Assuming that this chart is an accurate portrayal of global obesity proportions, I’m surprised to find Mexico at the 2nd place. I’m also concerned about the size of the USA figure; it’s almost comical…
the overthinker

“it’s almost comical…”

So are some US figures….

http://tofusando.blogspot.com Akoua Doffou

Yes, the US figure is embarassing me…

Sonagi

Asuka wrote:

“Hmm, did someone forget to put China on the world map? “

The map is misnamed. It does represent all countries but only OECD countries. That is why China is not included. Neither is Saudi Arabia, the world’s fattest nation.

“Assuming that this chart is an accurate portrayal of global obesity proportions, I’m surprised to find Mexico at the 2nd place. I’m also concerned about the size of the USA figure; it’s almost comical…”

It is accurate for the countries represented. You should not be surprised to find Mexico at #2. Obesity is, pardon the pun, a growing problem in the developing world. Some ethnic groups, like Native American Indians, are prone to obesity owing to “thrifty genes” that store away calories very efficiently. Most Mexicans have some native Indian ancestry.
terrette

The title of the post is completely absurd, as is the conclusion that feeds it. Do you know what it would mean for Japanese to be TEN TIMES THINNER than Americans, on average? Well, Japanese would hardly be visible, much less mobile. Massive sectors of the population would be confined to hospital or, if able to support themselves with their own two feet, be under constant threat of being crumpled into a heap by stray gusts of wind. The “TEN TIMES FATTER” conclusion concerning the population’s weight averages does not follow from rates of the respective populations over the age of 15 having a BMI over 30.

Catchy title, though.

http://www.japanprobe.com James

I know it doesn’t actually mean that Japanese are 10-times slimmer, but it was a catchy title, which I completely stole from the Korea Times’ headline.

anonymous

And those 3% are just the sumo enthusiasts.

Japanese 10-Times Slimmer Than Americans

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