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Fast food taking its toll on the health of youth in Japan

Justin McCurry

Type-2 diabetes soars after US chains expand

Tokyo: Japan, the home of sushi, seaweed cuisine and the world's longest life expectancy, is rearing a generation of young sugar addicts who are destined to spend their adolescence fighting obesity and acne, according to a report that paints a devastating picture of the country's health crisis.

Experts say the looming health crisis is being fomented by a surge in demand for highly calorific food sold by the top U.S. food chains.

Up to a fifth of Japanese children aged from five to 12 who are overweight suffer, or are at risk of developing, metabolic syndrome, a range of symptoms including high cholesterol and large waistlines. Left untreated, it can lead to serious illnesses such as strokes and heart disease. —

© Guardian Newspapers Limited 2007

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