The average weight of Japanese women has been steadily increasing over the past few decades. However, Japanese women are still considered relatively slim compared to women in many other developed countries. In this article, we will look at the most recent data on the average weight of Japanese women, examine trends over time, and explore some of the potential reasons behind the changes.
Current Average Weight
According to the most recent National Health and Nutrition Survey conducted by the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare in 2016, the average weight of Japanese women aged 20-69 was 54.2kg (119.5 lbs). This represents an increase of 2.7kg (6.0 lbs) compared to the average weight in 1981.
Here is a summary of the average weight data for Japanese women from the 2016 survey:
| Age Group | Average Weight (kg) |
|---|---|
| 20-29 years | 53.1 |
| 30-39 years | 54.4 |
| 40-49 years | 55.4 |
| 50-59 years | 55.7 |
| 60-69 years | 54.6 |
As the data shows, women in their 30s, 40s and 50s tend to be heavier than women in their 20s. This weight gain over time is a common trend across many populations. The average weight peaks for Japanese women in their 50s at around 55.7kg (122.7 lbs).
Trends Over Time
As mentioned above, the average weight of Japanese women has steadily increased over the past few decades:
| Year | Average Weight (kg) |
|---|---|
| 1981 | 51.5 |
| 1986 | 52.0 |
| 1991 | 52.7 |
| 1996 | 53.1 |
| 2001 | 53.6 |
| 2006 | 53.9 |
| 2011 | 54.0 |
| 2016 | 54.2 |
From 1981 to 2016, the average weight increased by 2.7kg (6.0 lbs), which equates to an average increase of around 0.1kg (0.2 lbs) per year. The most rapid increase was between 1981-1991, when the average weight increased by 1.2kg (2.6 lbs) over the decade. Since the 2000s, the rate of increase has slowed but the average weight has continued to slowly trend upwards.
Compared to other developed countries, the rate of increase in average weight for Japanese women has been relatively modest. For example, in the United States, the average weight of women increased by around 20kg (44 lbs) from the 1960s to the early 2000s.
Regional Differences
While the national average weight for Japanese women is 54.2kg (119.5 lbs), there are some notable regional differences:
| Region | Average Weight (kg) |
|---|---|
| Kanto (Tokyo area) | 52.7 |
| Kinki (Osaka/Kyoto area) | 55.1 |
| Tohoku (Northern Honshu) | 55.3 |
| Kyushu | 55.5 |
Women in urban areas like Tokyo tend to have lower average weights, while women in western Japan (Kinki and Kyushu regions) have higher average weights. Differences in lifestyle, diet and levels of physical activity may contribute to these regional variations.
International Comparisons
Despite the gradual increase over time, Japanese women still have relatively low average weights compared to other developed countries:
| Country | Average Weight (kg) |
|---|---|
| Japan | 54.2 |
| South Korea | 57.9 |
| United Kingdom | 70.1 |
| United States | 74.7 |
| Mexico | 71.1 |
The average woman in the UK weighs around 16kg (35 lbs) more than the average Japanese woman, while the average American woman weighs over 20kg (44 lbs) more.
Part of the reason for lower average weights in Japan and South Korea is likely related to traditional cultural beauty standards valuing slimmer figures. But average weights have been increasing in these countries as Western dietary patterns spread. Still, the Japanese diet remains lower in fat and higher in vegetables than typical Western diets. Portion sizes also tend to be smaller in Japan.
Potential Reasons for Weight Gain
Several factors may be contributing to the long-term gradual increase in average weight of Japanese women:
Dietary changes
– Increased fat and animal product consumption as traditional Japanese diets transition to more Westernized eating patterns
– Larger portion sizes
– Greater calorie intake
– More dining out and fast food
Lifestyle changes
– Decreased physical activity and more sedentary jobs
– Increased automobile use and less walking/bicycling for transportation
– More passive recreational activities (TV, video games, etc)
Aging population
– Metabolic changes and loss of muscle mass with aging leads to weight gain
– Japan’s population is rapidly aging with >25% now over 65 years old
Improved nutrition
– Rising standards of living have reduced undernutrition
– Some weight gain reflects greater food availability and better health
Conclusion
In summary, the average weight of Japanese women has steadily increased over the past few decades but remains relatively low compared to many other developed countries. The average Japanese woman weighed 54.2kg (119.5 lbs) in 2016, up by 2.7kg (6.0 lbs) since 1981. This reflects an increase of around 0.1kg (0.2 lbs) per year on average. However, the rate of weight gain has slowed since the 2000s. Regional differences in average weight exist across Japan, with women in urban areas like Tokyo thinner than those in western Japan. Potential reasons for rising average weights include increased fat/calorie intake, more sedentary lifestyles, and Japan’s aging population. Still, the traditional Japanese diet and cultural beauty standards valuing slimness have limited the rate of weight gain compared to Western countries. Going forward, initiatives promoting healthy diets and active lifestyles will be important to prevent excessive weight gain and offset the impacts of dietary westernization and aging demographics in Japan.