Obesity: The UK vs. Japan

As I was scrolling through movies to watch, I found an interesting documentary from 2015 called "Miso Hungry." The documentary follows Craig Anderson, an Australian movie producer who was overweight, as he travels to Japan to try a traditional Japanese diet and lifestyle.

His transformation is remarkable, and it's not just physical but mental as well. I think we all know that Japan is a healthier country than the UK, but let's talk about why. I'll also share with you how obesity is a money-making industry around the world.

The UK vs. Japan

To understand how different our approaches are, let’s look at some numbers. The UK has one of the highest obesity rates in Europe, with 28% of adults being obese. Japan, on the other hand, has an obesity rate of just 4%, which is the lowest among developed nations. These statistics alone show that there's something so different about the way we live. But what exactly do the Japanese do that we don’t?

Japan Diet

The most noticeable difference between Japan and the UK is diet. The traditional Japanese diet is naturally low in processed foods and high in:

• Fresh fish (rich in omega-3 fatty acids)

• Fermented foods (such as miso and natto, which supports your gut health)

• Vegetables (high in fibre and antioxidants)

• Green tea (which has metabolism-boosting properties)

  
  

What stands out to me the most is the Japanese practice “Hara Hachi Bu”, which means eating until you’re 80% full. This prevents overeating and allows the body to properly digest food.

UK Diet

A lot of the UK diet is based on ultra-processed foods, which now make up 57% of the average British diet. These foods are high in refined sugars, unhealthy fats, preservatives, and artificial ingredients, leading to:

• Increased cravings and overeating

• Poor gut health and digestion

• Higher risks of diabetes, heart disease, and obesity

And we definitely don't finish eating when we're 80% full.

Are We Really Trying to Fight Obesity?

Our government claims that it's tackling obesity, and yet fast-food chains, processed food manufacturers, and the weight loss industry are still escalating. I actually stood up for our government in a previous blog, Reacting to a TV Interview About Obesity, but it still raises the question: is obesity an epidemic we want to cure, or is it a business model we want to sustain?

45% of adults in the UK try to lose weight each year. This means that there is no shortage of customers for weight loss companies to market their products to. In fact, the UK diet industry alone is worth over £2 billion a year. These are profits made from people losing weight, regaining it, and repeating the continuous cycle. It's a money-making system that thrives on people staying unhealthy. Governments need to stop letting food corporations dictate what we eat. Health education should be a priority in schools.

The UK vs. Japan Statistics

The environments we live in also have an impact, so let's have a look at some stats.

Japan

• Tokyo is one of the world’s most walkable cities. Public transport is so efficient that owning a car is usually unnecessary.

• The average distance walked per day in Tokyo is about 3.5 miles (over 7,150 steps). Research also shows that 62.1% of people in Japan walk for physical exercise purposes.

• 77.4% of adults in Japan participate in some form of sport.

• Oxford scientists say that the average calorie consumption in Japan is 2,705 calories.

• The average weekly working hours in Tokyo are 40 hours, but overtime is often expected (Up to 80 hours per month).

• Japan ranks in 2nd place for the highest life expectancy.

  
  

UK

• London ranked as the most congested city in the world, with drivers losing 101 hours a year just in traffic.

• The TFL strategic walking analysis shows that the average distance walked in London per day is 0.7 miles, although other research says up to 2.5 miles (over 6,000 steps).

• 63.5% of UK adults participate in sport.

• The average daily working hours in London are 37.2 hours. For those who work overtime, the average is around 8 hours a week.

• The UK ranks at 37th place for life expectancy.

  
  

Mental Health and Obesity

Another key factor that we can't ignore is mental health, as depression and obesity are often linked.

• People with depression are 58% more likely to become obese, as emotional eating and lack of motivation reduce physical activity.

• Obesity also increases the risk of depression due to low self-esteem and chronic inflammation that affects brain chemistry.

• Japan has lower depression rates than the UK, which could be linked to better diet, and more physical activity.

  
  

This means that solving obesity includes mental health rather than just diet and exercise. I don't know the stats, but I do see adverts on social media a lot about mental health support.

What’s the Solution?

At the end of the day, you are the one who makes these decisions. We can blame our government as much as we want, but we are the ones eating the junk food.

Watching Miso Hungry made me realise just how much our environment shapes our health. Japan’s low obesity rates aren’t a coincidence. I'm not saying that they are perfect, but they do thrive in a culture that values a balance of movement and mindful eating.

Meanwhile, in the UK, obesity is no longer just a health crisis, it also profits from our poor health. Thinking of this, are we really trying to fix obesity, or are we just keeping it profitable?

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• Taking Responsibility of Obesity

• What If We Taught Kids About Health and Wellness Every Day?

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