The online magazine Health Fiend recently published their list of “the World’s Healthiest Countries“ (and their list of “the world’s least healthy countries” too).
Japan was ranked the World’s Healthiest Country based on the magazine’s criteria of:
-the longest healthy life expectancy at birth,
-lowest pollution,
-the percentage of a country’s population with access to improved drinking water and sanitation,
-low infant mortality rates,
-low rate of prevalence of tuberculosis,
-the density of physicians per 1,000 people and
-low undernourishment rates.
Three aspects of Japan were credited in particular with giving Japan the world’s highest life-expectancy:
–the healthy Japanese diet,
–Japan’s health-care system, and
–ラジオ体操 (government-sponsored exercise)
Here are the magazine’s list of the top ten world’s healthiest countries:
10. Australia
9. Austria
8. Denmark
7. Italy
6. France
5. Germany
4. Switzerland
3. Iceland
2. Sweden
1. Japan
Tokyo Five 
Rather like I think, but with less variety.
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I wonder if there’s some “original Swedish-style” sushi.
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Not as a commonly known concept.
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I see.
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Traditional Swedish food: potato is the heart of it. You can have potatoes with almost any main course, in a lot of varieties. We also enjoy many kinds of processed fish like smoked salmon or pickled herring. We like fried or boiled fish too of course, but we never thought of eating it raw until we learnt from the Japanese in the latest decades!
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Is sashimi popular there now?
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More nigiri and maki than sashimi.
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Is sushi the same there as it is in Japan or is it changed to suit Swedish taste?
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Sweden 2nd, that too is nice!
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I don’t know much about Sweden.
Is the diet and habits of most people there healthy?
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On the whole yes, I think. Too many overweighty, but also physical exercise is getting more and more popular.
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In Japan , fast-food is popular but most people don’t eat it often and they usually eat small portions.
The healthy, traditional Japanese diet is still very popular with all age-groups here.
How about there?
Is the traditional Swedish diet still popular?
(What is the traditional Swedish diet?)
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I have a feeling we didn’t do all that well. I’m not too surprised about Japan though. I saw how most Japanese drink green tea instead of sugared soft drinks.
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Yeah, America doesn’t really have an image of being healthy like it had a few generations ago.
Yes … tea and water are more popular here than sugary drinks.
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Congratulations to Japan! Where is the U.S. ranked? Um… I don’t want to know. LOL! On to another topic… I wonder which country is the most METAL? 🙂
Rock Steady Metal Buddy \m/
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I’m not sure how America ranked … it wasn’t in the top ten (nor bottom ten either).
As for metal, Brazil is known for it’s love of the greatest music! KISS and Iron Maiden have both played in front of massive audiences there. Finland is crazy about Death-Metal, I’ve heard.
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I guess every country has their Metal loyalty. I asked an “open-ended question”, my bad. The Middle East has underground bands and a following for Metal. Sweden is a “hotbed” for Metal… all of Europe for that matter. You are right about Brazil with their HUGE audiences they attract!
America always has many programs in place for “healthier living and better dieting”… it seems everywhere you look there is an advertisement for such programs, food, etc…
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“Healthy eating” programs are good … America has too much pre-packaged, processed food in supermarkets, school lunches, etc.
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Actually it really has changed dramatically here. Public schools are mandated by the Federal Government to serve whole grain bread and healthy foods at lunch.
When it comes to “choice”, the population will buy what they want, of course. However, the grocery stores have aisles of dietary and healthy foods now, compared to what it was like, say, 10 years ago.
Too numerous to mention food products now list “sodium free”, “fat free”, “high fiber”, “gluten free” on their packaging in large letters. Gyms are packed all the time in my area where I live and the “eating smart” wave of thought truly is in American society today.
I believe there is an unfortunate misconception abroad when it comes to an unhealthy lifestyle in America. I disagree with how obesity is measured here, still, I do see a conscientious effort in America to live healthier, both in my immediate area and through the mainstream media.
I just am critical of any study that always tends to leave America “off the list”… it just seems like it’s the “in thing” to do nowadays. There are McDonalds, Wendys, etc. all over the world, not just here.
Honestly, if the situation here was any different, I would be honest about it… and you know I’m an honest dude. 🙂 Well… I try to be! LOL! 🙂
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Yes, you’re right … “America bashing” seems to be popular around the world.
In Japan, I have to say, “bashing” other countries isn’t seen. People here are often surprised by how different America and other countries are from Japan … but don’t say that they’re “wrong”.
Anyways, I’m glad to hear that America is becoming healthier. Maybe America will be the world leaders in that regard again!
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