Have you seen any anime where there comes a certain episode where the characters need to pass a measuring tape to take measurements? In schools, it is part of the physical fitness test done for both men and women. Also known as measurement day.
In Japan, there is a culture called Metabo Check [メタボチェック] or the famous Measuring Tape Test that can be constantly seen in anime, but it has become an official law called Metabo Law. What do you think about exploring this topic a bit?
In the case of young people, these tests are conducted for physical education purposes, but for older individuals, these measuring tape tests are done to prevent obesity in a country where it is only about 3% compared to Brazil, which has half of its population overweight.
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Metabo Law for Weight Control
The culture of measuring the body with a measuring tape is not only present among young people. All adults usually go through these measurements, whether at work or when visiting a hospital. In fact, there is even an annual measurement law called the Metabo Law.
There is a specific day in the year to carry out this measurement, mainly recommended for those over 40 years old. The World Health Organization determines that men should have a circumference of less than 94 cm and women less than 80 cm.
If the measurements are not adequate, the responsible organizations or companies encourage the person to participate in support sessions, see a nutritionist, and do more physical exercises. Through this law, Japan shows the importance of a healthy weight and practicing exercises.
The measurements of abdominal circumferences should not exceed 85 cm for men and 90 cm for women; if they exceed these values, the person would enter a food re-education program and be advised to exercise.
School Health Examination
In addition to physical fitness tests, the measuring tape also appears in school health examinations that students are often required to take. The Health Law stipulates that the examination must be conducted for all students by June 30 of each year.
The school health examinations include nutritional status, the presence of diseases and abnormalities in the spine, chest, and other limbs. They also conduct vision, hearing, tuberculosis, urine, blood pressure, blood tests, and others.
The day of the physical examination in Japanese is called karada kensa no hi [身体検査の日] or it can simply be referred to as a physical examination, which in Japanese is shintaikensa [身体検査]. As mentioned, schools are not the only places where this test is conducted.
The Measurement Day in Anime
We can frequently observe measurement day in school anime. This annual event in schools usually takes place throughout the day and in anime, it is often used for fanservice.
These scenes in anime generate many jokes regarding weight and breast size. Additionally, it is a reason to take off clothes or show underwear and create more ecchi scenes in the school setting.
In anime, there is always some student trying to spy on the girls from somewhere; does this also happen in real life? I hope you enjoyed the article. What do you think about the Japanese concern in testing their waist?
Metabo Ranger – Power Rangers of Health
Metabo Ranger [メタボレンジャー] is a group of volunteers from the city of Mitsuke, in Niigata Prefecture, who act as monitors to take care of the diet and exercise of each citizen in order to repel metabolic syndrome and transform the city into the healthiest in Japan.
The 5 Metabo Rangers are:
- Yamada Pink
- Murakami Red
- Kobayashi Blue
- Shimomura Yellow
- Iwai Green
In addition to the Rangers, the city of Mitsuke offers fitness classes, exercise guidance, training machines like bicycles, nutritionists, and nurses assigned to each citizen. There have been various efforts to lead the entire city to health.
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