According to the World Health Organization (2006) and Japan Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (厚生労働省), Okinawan has the highest life expectancy in the world, and the highest in Japan.

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However, Okinawa might not be able to enjoy this "Long Life" status much longer. Western fast food culture is shortening the life expectancy of Okinawa especially the male population. According to a 1985 survey by Japan Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (厚生労働省), both male and female Okinawan have the highest life expectancy in Japan. Ten years later, in a 2005 survey, the female Okinawan population still maintains this number one status but the male population has dropped to 25th place, making Okinawa the "Short Life Prefecture" in Japan.

Obesity is becoming a norm, one in two adult male is considered obese. Obesity contributes to the increase of diabetic and cardiovascular diseases.

Health experts advices people that traditional Okinawan food is much healthier, because they mainly consists of vegetables, soya beans or soy products and fish. However, people should also add milk or diary products into their diet because traditional Okinawan diet lacks diary products which provide the needed calcium.
Western fast food contains excess amount of calories, they are high in fat, cholesterol and salt; all are not conducive of a long and health life.

All these are not new news, the problem is that all these fat, cholesterol, salt, artificial favoring, and preservatives laden food tend to be more delicious!

Chunichi News 中日新聞 : 食で若さ保つ　お勧め、やっぱり日本食

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