Japan is getting fat.
Too fat.
The country wants to stop its tubby trend by enforcing a new law requiring that companies and local governments measure the waistlines of Japanese workers between the ages of 40 and 74 as part of their annual checkups. How many people have to face the tape measure? Try 56 million, about 44 percent of the entire Japanese population.
The standard is strict for Japanese men. They must not exceed a 33.5 inch waistline. For women, it’s 35.4 inches.
Anything larger and the overweight individual will be given dieting instructions if, after three months, no weight is lost.
There are sanctions in place as the government will fine companies and local governments that fail to meet particular goals.
With one out of three Americans officially obese, the question is, would such a program work here?
Given the way we eat, I’d say a rather loud and emphatic no.
Holy egg roll! This is a horrible idea for many reasons.
It’s government intrusion.
Why should a company be fined if its workers can’t lose weight?
How is that the company’s fault?
Obesity is clearly a matter of personal responsibility. It’s not the government’s or the private sector’s fault if your waistline is 40 inches. That’s YOUR fault and you should do something about it.
America needs incentives, and above all, greater willpower if it wants to shed some pounds.
Here’s the story from ABC News.
