Tropical Weight Loss
Photo by Disha Sheta Pexels Logo Photo: Disha Sheta

Why do Japanese age fast?

It has the highest proportion of older persons in the world. Its move towards a super-aged society is due to a combination of demographic factors, including very low fertility rates and a steady increase in life expectancy that is enabled by advances in medical science and improved nutrition and living conditions.

How can I increase my collagen naturally?
How can I increase my collagen naturally?

Eating foods rich in vitamin C and amino acids can increase the levels of hyaluronic acid and collagen in the body as both are important for skin....

Read More »
What is the perfect female figure?
What is the perfect female figure?

The stereotypically attractive female body shape is an hourglass figure, which includes wide hips, a narrow waist, and broad shoulders. Oct 28, 2021

Read More »

For the first time in human history, there are more people on our planet over the age of sixty-five than there are children under the age of five. Also for the first time, more people reside in urban areas than in rural ones and that trend is set to continue: by 2050, two-thirds of the world’s population will live in cities. Put these two trends together and you see quickly that cities are not only economic powerhouses driven by young population, but rather increasingly home to a more diverse, aging population with active and productive members who are essential to the fabric of society. It is therefore vital that our cities welcome and nurture this diverse groups in ways that are sustainable, inclusive, and equitable. Take Japan, for instance. It has the highest proportion of older persons in the world. Its move towards a super-aged society is due to a combination of demographic factors, including very low fertility rates and a steady increase in life expectancy that is enabled by advances in medical science and improved nutrition and living conditions. In many ways, Japan’s experience of sustainably meeting the demands of rapid urbanization while ensuring urban dwellers have a place to age in place – safely, independently, comfortably, and productively – offers critical lessons for cities around the world. Many of these lessons from the Japan and other countries informed a recent report - Silver Hues: Building Age-Ready Cities which spotlights what an aging and urbanizing future could look like. It not only offers suggestions to make cities age-ready but also age-friendly, including through technology and digital innovations, as well as smarter policies and investments that account for a wider range of needs. It demonstrates that, with the right policies, simultaneous aging and urbanization can be a significant opportunity. Here are three big takeaways from the report – in particular, what Japan’s perspective offers to urban development more widely: Rethink aging and ensure older populations stay healthy. The Japanese Government proposed the ideas of a Smart Platinum Society in 2015, referred as an “age-free society” which encourages its citizens to live a fruitful “hundred-year life. ” Japan also has a vision for its future coined as Society 5.0, where older persons are not considered senior citizens but are encouraged to stay healthy and to continue playing active roles in the labor force and society. It acknowledges that older persons constitute a growing market for goods and services and are a critical part of what is often called a “longevity economy”.

Do you burn fat when you sleep?
Do you burn fat when you sleep?

People do lose weight during sleep. However, this is mostly due to water loss through breathing and sweating. While individuals do not burn much...

Read More »
Should I exercise with Saxenda?
Should I exercise with Saxenda?

(HealthDay)—The weight-loss drug Saxenda can keep extra pounds off—but combining it with exercise brings a bigger payoff, a new clinical trial...

Read More »

Rethink infrastructure to meet today’s needs, including that of an aging population. The bulk of Japan’s large-scale infrastructure was constructed in the post- World War II era, catering to the needs of rapid urbanization and population growth. It has since had to experiment with new approaches to meet the demographic shift of an aging population which has specific needs. This has included asset recycling of schools turned into care facilities for older persons, repurposing community facilities to meet both day-to-day multigenerational gatherings and disaster response centers in emergency situations, renovating vacant housing by attracting young students and artists to create momentum for community-led area-based regeneration efforts, among others. In an aging society, managing infrastructure well matters as much as building good infrastructure in the first place. Rethink urban mobility, walkability, climate-smart inclusive public transport with universal design features embedded. The physical mobility offered by cities and towns is, in fact, a draw for many of Japan’s older residents who prefer to live in urban versus rural areas precisely because of the accessibility and walkability aspects. Universal design features in public transport, for instance, could mean that transit options are easy to use for older persons, persons with disabilities, parents with strollers. The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport, and Tourism (MLIT) has advanced, as part of the implementation of national land and transportation policies, age-friendly and barrier-free design principles, applied to, for example, sidewalks, public buildings, and the transportation system. The most recent Barrier Free Law unified, within a single legal framework, accessibility guidelines for new and existing buildings and for public transportation operators and facilities. Such efforts make it possible for older persons to access destinations easily, expanding their business and social activities. Encouraging the use of public transport also contributes to reducing Green House Gas emissions and contribute to climate-smart development of cities. The Tokyo Development Learning Center (TDLC), a partnership between the World Bank and the Japanese government, has been instrumental in capturing Japanese and other experiences, so as to share them across the world in the most impactful formats. It has also curated technical knowledge by bringing together experts from around the world so that they can help develop tailored solutions towards more vibrant, productive, and livable cities for all residents, including older populations. TDLC’s unique operating model has influenced several teams from across the World Bank and other entities to think about how aging will affect the countries that they work in , especially those with weaker infrastructure and social protection systems.

How do I control my eating?
How do I control my eating?

How do you get back on track? Keep a food diary. Write down what you eat, how much you eat, when you eat, how you're feeling when you eat and how...

Read More »
How often should the elderly bathe?
How often should the elderly bathe?

or twice a week Usually, personal hygiene (specifically bathing) is one of those things that gets neglected. So how often should an elderly bathe?...

Read More »

These types of partnerships are extremely valuable and we look forward to deepening the work of the TDLC, and to identifying transformative practices in the changing urban landscape and sharing these experiences more widely. Japan’s cities are early innovators in healthy living for its older residents. The lessons – both the challenges and the opportunities - it offers are a glimpse into a future which could benefit cities around the world. This piece was originally published by the International Development Journal of Japan in July 2022.

Does sweating burn fat?
Does sweating burn fat?

While sweating doesn't burn fat, the internal cooling process is a sign that you're burning calories. “The main reason we sweat during a workout is...

Read More »
Is it OK to go to bed hungry?
Is it OK to go to bed hungry?

Going to bed hungry can be safe as long as you're eating a well-balanced diet throughout the day. Avoiding late-night snacks or meals can actually...

Read More »
What over-the-counter pill is like phentermine?
What over-the-counter pill is like phentermine?

TrimTone is a choice OTC phentermine alternative if you're constantly putting in the work with dismal results. This weight loss supplement will...

Read More »
How to lose 15 pounds in 4 weeks?
How to lose 15 pounds in 4 weeks?

To lose 15 pounds in 4 weeks means losing almost 4 pounds every week, which is 13125 calories every week. Taking it into daily installments, losing...

Read More »