Why are Japanese schoolchildren some of the healthiest in the world?
It’s not just their school lunch, but what they’re taught about habits
According to research by Unicef, among 41 developed countries in the European Union and the OECD, there is only one country where fewer than one in five children are overweight: Japan.
It’s an alarming statistic that I’m not necessarily happy about — I wish all countries everywhere had lower levels of childhood obesity — but it’s a true one nonetheless.
Low levels of childhood obesity can also partially explain why adult obesity and overweightness in Japan is also low (a mere 4.2% compared to 40% in the United States).
What can we learn from what’s being taught in Japan?
Why Japanese children are so healthy
When it comes to discussing Japanese schoolchildren’s health, a common response is the school lunch system.
Japanese school standards for lunch tend to be relatively high, a well-balanced meal of several vegetables, lean meats, and moderate amounts of carbohydrates.
But I’ve been noticing an additional aspect about Japanese education, which makes it different: It’s emphasis on teaching people consistency.
