Japans new waistline measures...

Has everyone read about the new waist line limits on men at 33.5 and women 35.5 in Japan?  They are getting measured yearly at age 40-74 at their yearly check ups.  If they exceed it, their penalty is to get diet guidance.  After six months if not improved they will have to get re educated on healthy eating habits and dieting.  I wonder if this will work.  I personally think if they are going to do this, they should educate people WAY earlier than 40 years of age!!  This is just when the health costs go up, why not nick it in the bud before hand!  Just doesn't make sense to me.  I can just see us doing that here in the U.S.  They would have to hire so many new people for education classes!ha  We are such an obese country.

I saw this too. It's crazy! lol I guess it is good they are taking steps but yeah 40 is a bit late. I totally agree on that point. It'll definitely be interesting to see if it works. Beth

LOL, I doubt it will work. But hey, if they start sewing mouths shut, that may be a fresh approach.  This is not about education anyway. I know we all know what to do ....we simply do not want to do it. 35.5 inches????  I have about committed hari-kari the past 2 years to get down to a svelte 37.75 inches.

What's really interesting is that their waistline limits are reversed.  According to cardiologist Dr. Mehmet Oz , the actual heart healthy limits are 35" for men and 32 1/2" for women.  The formula for your heart healthy waist measurement is your height in inches halved, up to the limit.  so for a woman who is 5' 2" (62"), her waistline should be 31".  For a man who is 5' 8" (68"), his waistline should be 34".  If you're a woman is who is 5' 9" like me, you still only get to have a waistline of 32 1/2."  (When I got really thin years ago, it was 27", but I don't expect to see that measurement again.)  Since my waistline is now 37", down from 50.5" -- I've got another 4 1/2" to go.