Nomad Odyssey: March 2012

Wednesday, 14 March 2012

When food quality is high, Food qty is low... and so are obesity levels

Posted by D. Location: ５丁目５３−７０ United Nations University, Tokyo, Japan

Food presentation in Japan is amazing, and I'm not just talking about in the restaurants. Here in Tokyo you can buy better food in the convenience stores than you can get in your average deli back home.

United Nations University Farmers Market

Perfect present for White Day? (Japanese Valentines day for men)

Its not just presentation though, its quality. I'm not sure what happens with the 'damaged' stuff but it certainly doesn't make it to the shelves. Given the Japanese penchant for efficiency, I imagine it makes it way to a cannery somewhere or maybe the huge variety of dried fruits they have.

Huge array of Mushrooms! Yay!

This high food quality, low quantity consumption is in direct contrast to the USA, UK and Australia. Also in direct contrast are the obesity statistics. In the latest obesity rankings for the OECD USA (1st), UK (3rd) and Australia (6th) all rank in the top 10 with over 20% of the population considered Obese. Japan ranks last - 28th with only 3.5% considered obese. Eat better, eat less.

Statistics ourtesy of Nationmaster.com