A new study looked at the effects of societal traits on obesity rates — and it found that countries that value individualism have higher body mass indexes in males.
Published in the journal Social Science & Medicine, the study examined data from 51 countries to find out why there is so much variation in global obesity rates.
While economic prosperity is an important factor — with wealthier nations having greater access to food and lower levels of physical activity — it doesn’t explain why some less-developed countries have high levels of obesity (Egypt, Jordan, Mexico) and more developed ones don’t (Japan, South Korea, Singapore).
The study found that those latter countries were more “flexible.” In other words, they prioritize thrift, discipline, self control and delaying gratification — all behaviors that can help with weight control. They were also slimmer across the board.
Source: New York Post