The Myth of the Tiny Japanese Girl
I was brought up hearing that Japanese girls were naturally tiny. They ate amazingly healthy diets, and that made them thin. Plus, they were typically quite petite in stature. Case closed.
Or is it?
It turns out that an inordinate amount of Japanese women today are afflicted with disordered eating practices. A simple Google search turned up these interests facts and reports:
From HealthyPlace.com, an eating disorders community:
- “Anorexia… once known as ‘Golden Girl syndrome’ because it struck primarily rich, white, well-educated young Western women — was first documented in Japan in the 1960s. Eating disorders are now estimated to afflict one in 100 young Japanese women, almost the same incidence as in the
United States, according to retired Tokyo University epidemiologist Hiroyuki Suematsu.”
From the Renfrew Center’s Eating Disorders 101 Guide:
- “Eating disorders are one of the most common psychological problems facing young women in Japan. Unfortunately, there is still great shame in seeking treatment in Japan; so many people are going undiagnosed.”
And here, from a 2001 article in the Shanghai Star entitled “Eating Disorders Plague Young Japanese”:
- “…Doctor Gen Komaki of Japan’s National Institute of Mental Health, has been treating such conditions for more than 20 years. Komaki predicts that eating disorders could become as big a problem in
Japan as they are in the United States, where they affect an estimated 1 per cent to 3.5 per cent of the population.”
Are you surprised? I sure was.
Interestingly, what made me so intrigued by this subject of Japanese girls and EDs was this post by MamaV, uber-blogger at mamaVISION.
I must warn you, though — her methods of educating an audience about the dangers of eating disorders are more “in your face” than mine. While I see exactly where she’s coming from (she was a former model and has made it her mission to change the way women view their bodies), I do feel the responsibility to let you know that she uses many shocking images which could be seen as “triggers.” In any case, proceed with caution given this foreknowledge.
As for now, I’m gradually processing the shocking truth: eating disorders are, indeed, a global phenomenon. And if we don’t keep bringing the subject to the public’s eyes, they will only plant more seeds of despair, destruction and self-loathing in the next generation.
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POSTED IN: Anorexia, Bulimia, Japanese women, Renfrew Center, Research, mamaVISION
2 opinions for The Myth of the Tiny Japanese Girl
Limegirl
Jan 13, 2008 at 7:37 pm
Being half-Japanese and having travelled there many times, I can speak from personal experience that disordered eating habits are widespread in Japan for both genders. I have known many MEN and women to restrict their eating in a quest to lose weight there. I have also seen women who looked so fragile, I was sure they would go into cardiac arrest while waiting for the subway.
While it is true that there are many Japanese who tend to be on the thin side, my family is not among them. While I am not a large person, I have certainly never had the teeny, tiny physique that everyone associates with Japanese people. The men and women in my family are muscular and stocky, and at 5′4″ I can barely fit into the largest sizes in most Japanese stores. I would be delighted if more people (including the Japanese themselves) were aware that Japan has people of varied shapes and sizes, and this extremely thin body type is unreasonable even for those of Japanese origin.
It will take me a long time to understand how someone who isn’t thin and petite can keep their head straight in a society that insists that they become something that is neither healthy nor natural for them. Having been born and raised in Canada/North America, I have found my way within our culture. However, I think it will take many years of studying Japanese for me to be able to find the voices of reason in that culture as well.
Kianni
Apr 13, 2008 at 5:17 pm
Like the previous person, I am also part Japanese, and since I was little thought that that’s how Japanese girls were supposed to be.
I don’t fit that criteria.
I have/had an eating disorder. I was anorexic.
but I’ll tell you, I would have fit right in!!
That’s horrible to think though….
Now I’ve gained the weight back, but when I’m with my tiny, slim full Japanese friends it makes me feel so terrible… That’s I’m not like them. and I think that’s where it comes from. So many girls, and guys in Japan think it’s how they have to be but, that’s not how it should be
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