Waisted food

Will this law protect the citizenry of Japan?

By Culinate staff

June 18, 2008

Last week the New York Times reported that a new law in Japan will require all citizens between the ages of 40 and 74 to have their waists measured as part of their annual check-ups, in an effort to stem rising rates of obesity in that country. (Be sure to view the slide show and check out the related graph.)

Yesterday, blogger Kat asked nutrition expert Marion Nestle about the new law on Eating Liberally. Said Nestle: “I’m stunned by the proposal and hardly know where to begin.” She adds that she’ll be watching to see whether the effort in Japan will address social responsibility for obesity or focus exclusively on the individual.