The influence of Fast food on life-span in Japan - Research Paper Example

? The influence of Fast food on life-span in Japan Japanese people have the longest life span. Their style of life and their eating behavior are considered as related to the above phenomenon. On the other hand, fast food has become part of life for most people worldwide; however, the negative effects of fast food on health are extensive. The above issues are analyzed in current paper; effort has been made in order to present the various aspects of the relationship between the long life span of Japanese and their eating behavior especially regarding their trend to avoid fast food. At the next level, the potential use of the specific eating behavior on the life-span of other populations worldwide is evaluated, aiming to answer the following question: would the avoidance of fast food – as an eating behavior adopted by Japanese – could help people worldwide to increase their life span – as this trend has contributed in the long life-span of Japanese? In order to understand the potential relationship between the avoidance of fast food and the long life span as observed in Japan, it would be necessary to present the common effects of fast food of health – as highlighted in the literature focusing on the specific subject. Then the trends of Japanese regarding fast food will be identified and evaluated showing the potential relationship of the specific eating behavior and the long life span. In this way, it will be possible to understand the potential value of the avoidance of fast food for health, a practice that could be suggested to people with different social and cultural characteristics who are likely to eat fast food, especially as a result of their style of life. The term ‘fast food’ is used in order to indicate food of the following characteristics: ‘a) either the food which can be prepared and served quickly or b) the food designed for ready availability, use or consumption’ (Merriam Webster, 2011). Fast food has a series of advantages, which is the reason for the expansion of this type of food in countries worldwide; at a first level, the access to the particular type of food is easy – referring to the fact that the number of restaurants providing the specific type of food is extremely high. Moreover, the cost of fast food is low, a significant advantage of this type of food; in fact, the low cost of fast food – compared to other types of food – is one of its key reasons for its popularity among people of low income – who cannot afford other types of food. Another advantage of fast food is the limited time required for its preparation; as the term itself declares, fast food can be prepared quite quickly helping consumers to save time for their various activities. Despite its advantages, fast food has been proved to have a series of negative effects. In fact, the research over the health problems related to fast food has proved that the specific type of food can have severe health implications, leading to various health problems either in the short or the long term (Health Food Guide 2011). The most usual negative effect of fast food is the obesity; other damages that the fast food causes on health are the following ones: ‘heart disease, diabetes, high cholesterol, hypertension and even cancer’ (Health Food Guide 2011). Most commonly, the effects of fast food on health cannot be identified early; usually, it is after a severe problem of health, as a result of consuming fast food for a long period of time, that the dangers of the specific types of food are considered and evaluated. The specific issue can be identified in the article of Martindale (2011) where reference is made to the case of a ‘victim’ of fast food, a 56-year old woman who has suffered severe problems of health because of her eating practices – referring specifically to fast food. The particular woman has sued the most known fast food chains in her city – Wendy’s, McDonalds, Burger King and KFC – considering that the food served in these restaurants has been the cause for her health problems (Martindale 2011). The above event reveals the level of importance of appropriate eating behavior and, particularly, the importance of the avoidance of fast food. Sharetto (2004) presents the findings of a study focusing on the effects of fast food. The number of the study’s participants was estimated to 3,000 – a fact which is quite important for the study’s credibility. The above study revealed that fast food is closely related to obesity and insulin resistance, having a major role in the development of diabetes (Sharetto 2004). On the other hand, it has been made clear that the negative effects of fast food are increased in accordance with the level of consumption of this food; for instance, it has been proved that the individuals who consume fast food quite often have more chances to face a problem of obesity – even in the long term. A similar issue is highlighted in the article of Gosline (2011); the above researcher notes that the consumption of fast food on a continuous basis can cause various heart diseases. It is noted that the trans fats, a common content of fast food as also of most ready meals and food products, is responsible for obesity and diabetes (Gosline 2011). Again, the risk for severe health damages because of fast foods is increased in cases of people who consume fast food quite often; moreover, the consumption of fast food just periodically has not been proved to lead to damages for health, but this assumption is not fully explored in the empirical research. Moreover, it should be noted that the negative effects of fast food are not easily identifiable. In fact, in a report published by the BBC News in 2003 emphasis is given on the fact that people face difficulties in order to identify food, which is appropriate in terms of its contents/ density. The most common problem when having to choose among food available for consumption is that the size of the portion – and not the contents – is considered as an indicator of the meal’s potentials in terms of energy (BBC News 2003). Indeed, there are meals with extremely high level of energy density while other meals of similar size may be quite poor in energy density and quite rich in calories. From this point of view, the risks related to the food consumed within a particular society may be depended on the views developed in the specific society regarding the quality – and the quantity of food. Japanese, whose eating behavior has set under examination in this paper, tend to follow a particular program regarding eating – considering this activity as a whole ceremony, as a period of time during which the body needs to rest and recover energy for responding to the needs of daily activities. In other words, Japanese are likely to remain loyal to traditional types of food – as followed by appropriately customized ceremonies – instead of tasting the fast food; in the long term, this practice has led to the increase of life span of Japanese, as this benefit has been proved to be related to the avoidance of fast food by Japanese. Mello, Rimm and Studdert also refer to the litigation developed in regard to fast food – as these claims are based on the proven relationship between the fast food and a series of severe health problems (Mello, Rimm and Studdert 207). The key characteristic of the case discussed in the above article is that it is based on the joint lawsuit of a group of children who suffer from obesity as a result of the continuous consumption of fast food. The Pelman v McDonald’s case, as analyzed in the article of Mello, Rimm and Studdert (207) is used as the basis for the establishment of similar claims – emphasizing on the intention of the owners of the fast – food restaurants to cause health problems to the public, as their awareness of the content of the food served in their restaurants could be interpreted. The eating preferences of Japanese are reflected in the article of Milligan (2000); in the above article reference is made to a Japanese restaurant which serves food which is characterized as ‘fast food’, as Japanese perceive the particular type of food. It is explained that the term ‘fast food’ in Japanese restaurants is related to a menu based on shrimps, fried veggies and chicken – followed by a variety of sauces. There is no option for burger or fries, an explanation of the fact why the above menu is healthier compared to the menu of Western fast food restaurants (Milligan 2000). In accordance with the above article, the key differentiation of Japanese eating behavior is based on the following fact: Japanese have a different perception on the food required for locating the energy necessary in daily activities. In Western societies, burgers and fries are considered as the most appropriate source of energy – in terms of food that can be prepared fast; on the contrary, in Japan, fast food is of high quality, being based on fish and chicken – food elements that are relatively poor in calories but rich in energy. It is perhaps for this reason that obesity in Japan is under control – compared to the Western societies where obesity has become a severe social problem. Of course, in Japan also there are fast foods offering menu similar to the Western fast food restaurants (Macias 2009); however, the options available to the consumers are increased – compared to the Western restaurants of the similar type; this means that the customers of a Japanese fast food restaurant has the option to choose among a meat-based menu or a healthier menu, following the Japanese eating preferences. In accordance with the issues discussed above, Japanese are likely to prefer food which is not rich in fat, being influenced by their traditional eating trends, referring especially to fish, as these trends are reflected in ‘Sushi’, a popular Japanese food based on fish. On the other hand, the rate of work of Japanese is differentiated from their Western colleagues; the hours and the mode of work in Japanese firms are likely to be more demanding – compared to the Western firms, a fact that leads to the increased needs for energy – in order to respond the daily activities. Even if fast food is periodically consumed, its effects cannot be extensive, at least not at such level like in Western societies, as critically discussed above. The low performance of traditional fast food restaurant chains in Japan is another indicator of the failure of these restaurants to respond to the needs and the preferences of locals. In accordance with a report published in Independent, in 2009 Wendy’s has left Japan – after 29 years of continuous presence in the particular country – because of the failure of the specific restaurant to reach a satisfactory level of performance; McDonald’s is now the key player in the specific sector of the Japanese market – referring to the Western fast food restaurants (The Independent 2009). It is made clear that Japanese are not likely to consume the particular type of food – at least not at such level as consumers in the West. The above fact can explain the limitation of the negative effects of fast food on the health of Japanese – researchers have given no major importance on the specific issue, since it is not considered as valuable to be further analyzed. The research over the life span of Japanese, has led to the conclusion that people in the particular country have the highest level of life expectancy; men are expected to live for 78 years where for women this level significantly increases reaching the 85 years (McGarry 2005). The eating preferences of Japanese are considered as responsible for the specific outcome. Fish, as a primary element of Japanese daily food, provides the energy required for daily activities while, at the same time, it offers a significant protection against a series of diseases (McGarry 2005). The development across the country of fast food restaurants has not managed to decrease the life expectancy of Japanese, mostly because the preferences of Japanese regarding fast food are of high quality – again fish is a main element of the food; as for the Western fast food restaurants operating in Japan, these have not managed to reach a high level of performance, a fact indicating the avoidance of fast food by Japanese. In a most recent article, of 2010, it is noted that the life span of Japanese has been further increased in 2009 reaching the 79.59 years for men and the women of 86.44 years (Reuters 2010). The above phenomenon has been explained by referring to the life – style and the culture of Japanese – it is assumed that the eating behavior of the local population has also a key role in the further increase of life span for men and women across the country. In accordance with McGarry the continuous increase of Japanese life-span can be explained by referring to their daily activities and their eating behavior – as a reflection of their culture (2003); it is explained that Japanese are not likely to gather in homes for dinner or parties; rather, they prefer arranging meetings in outside establishments (McGarry 2003). The specific view is aligned with those presented above – focusing on the relationship between the eating trends of Japanese and their culture and traditions. The examination of the eating behavior of Japanese proved that the specific people avoid fast food – at a significant level. Moreover, the life span of Japanese has been proved to be quite long – in fact, it seems to be the longest among the other populations worldwide. It is clear that the eating trends of Japanese, including the avoidance of fast food, have a crucial role in the above outcome. The above finding can lead to the following assumption: people in other countries worldwide to achieve similar benefits, i.e. to increase their life span by adopting similar eating behavior, i.e. by decreasing or even eliminating fast food. Of course, the potential alternatives should be discussed especially in cases of individuals who, because of the nature or the volume of their work, are depended on fast food, not being able to prepare their own meals. The consumption of healthy fast food, i.e. of food which is of a high quality and which can be prepared quickly, could help people worldwide to increase their life span, reaching the level of Japanese. In any case, fast food in its traditional form should be avoided as it could cause severe health problems even in the long term, as described above. The paradigm of Japanese should be taken into consideration by other people worldwide who wish to try to increase their life span by adopting a healthier eating behavior – at the level that eating trends have been proved to be related to the life span of people in different social, political and economic settings. Works Cited BBC News “Why fast food makes you get fat.” October 22 2003. 26 May 2011 < http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/3210750.stm> Chitale, Radha “Fast Food: The Fast Track to Organ Damage.” February 14 2008. ABC News Medical Unit 26 May 2011 < http://abcnews.go.com/Health/PictureOfHealth/story?id=4286176&page=1> Gannam, Tom. “Study: Eating fast food often does supersize you.” December 30 2004. USA Today 26 May 2011. < http://www.usatoday.com/news/health/2004-12-30-fast-food-fat_x.htm> Gosline, Anna. “Why fast foods are bad, even in moderation.” 12 June 2006. 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