I’m a Mom Living in Japan, Home to the World’s Healthiest Kids—4 Things Japanese Parents Do Differently
October 22, 2023 | Source: CNBC | by Yuko Tamura
In 1896, pioneering doctor and pharmacist Sagen Ishizuka coined a Japanese philosophy called “shokuiku.” It is derived from two words that mean “eat” and “grow.”
Shokuiku encourages parents and schools to teach kids where their food comes from and how it affects our mind and body. This concept has been an integral part of Japan’s culture, and it’s a big reason why we’re home to some of the world’s healthiest children.
According to UNICEF, among 41 developed countries in the European Union and the OECD, Japan is the only country where fewer than one in five children are overweight.
As a mother raising a young daughter in Japan, here’s what Japanese parents do differently to raise happy and adventurous eaters: