I'd agree that is a large factor. The culture is very different around it. Fat shaming is considered 'giving good advice'.
Food access while related, could be a chicken or egg question. Maybe there'd be more access to healthy food in the US if there was more demand?
I know that I personally end up eating more junk-foods than I would if I had better access to healthy food. But I don't think I represent the most common case. And I'm skinny anyway, so I really don't count.
I'd agree that is a large factor. The culture is very different around it. Fat shaming is considered 'giving good advice'.
Food access while related, could be a chicken or egg question. Maybe there'd be more access to healthy food in the US if there was more demand?
I know that I personally end up eating more junk-foods than I would if I had better access to healthy food. But I don't think I represent the most common case. And I'm skinny anyway, so I really don't count.
We eat "junk food" quite often, but at nowhere near the recommended portion size, while eating a lot of healthy stuff as well. Nutritional deficiencies aside, weight gain is mostly energy in minus energy used. Small portion sizes are also notable in Japan.
We eat "junk food" quite often, but at nowhere near the recommended portion size, while eating a lot of healthy stuff as well. Nutritional deficiencies aside, weight gain is mostly energy in minus energy used. Small portion sizes are also notable in Japan.
I think it has a lot more to do with personal responsibility and societal/cultural expectation. It is shameful to be too fat in Japan, just as it is embarrassing to fail in other aspects of life - people care about society around them and being a part of it. I view having slightly healthier food options available as a symptom of a healthy society, not a cause.