Japan Battles Rising Obesity (AP)


<p><a href="http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/health/*http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060215/ap_on_he_me/japan_diet"><img src="http://us.news3.yimg.com/us.i2.yimg.com/p/ap/20060215/capt.4605de33382c4acba05310b7688651ed.japan_diet_tok111.jpg?x=61&y=130&sig=1xPoVpJkeYjEUuIC4usQ9Q--" align="left" height="130" width="61" alt="Sayaka Oyama, 10, grimaces as she clings to a rope, assisted by instructor Junko Sano during a sports program for overweight kids in Tokyo Saturday, Jan. 28, 2006. At 9 years old, Sayaka stood 4 feet 2 inches (126 cm), and weighed 108 pounds (49 kg), a hefty 53 pounds (24kg) over her ideal weight. Sayaka is part of a wave of obesity in Japan that is being blamed for an upsurge in diabetes and other diseases that some say could one day jeopardize the country's status as the home of the world's longest-living population. (AP Photo/Koji Sasahara)" border="0" /></a>AP - For those who think Japan is all fish and tofu, consider 10-year-old Sayaka Oyama's former diet: spaghetti and meat sauce for lunch, chocolates and cookies for a snack, rice balls for dinner and sandwiches at nighttime classes. Late at night, she would slurp down some quick noodles before going to bed.</p><br clear=all>