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- Photo: shimelle / Flickr
They’re happy, they’re healthy, and they live well into their 90s. Some of the world’s fittest people are from Iceland, Japan and New Zealand. These three countries have a few things in common: fresh, high-quality food, an emphasis on exercise and, in the case of New Zealand and Iceland, very low levels of pollution.
Iceland
Iceland, because of its small population, is one of the world’s least polluted countries. Besides breathing in healthy air, Icelanders also work out often to beat the winter blues. Life expectancy in Iceland is an impressive 74 for women and 72 for men and this northern nation also has one of the world’s lowest infant mortality rates at just two deaths per 1,000 babies.
Japan
When the WHO worked out which countries’ populations live healthily the longest, Japan came out on top at 74.5 years. A lot of this is attributable to diet. In her bestseller Japanese Women Don’t Get Old or Fat, Naomi Moriyana, says that Japan is ‘the food utopia of planet Earth’. Food is fresh, quality over quantity is valued and a favourite saying goes ‘eat until you’re only 80 per cent full’. The Japanese are also the world’s biggest consumers of fish, soya, seaweed and green tea.
Exercise is important in Japan, too, where National Fitness Day is held every year on the second Monday in October. On this public holiday schools and businesses close to hold sports days.
New Zealand
Like Iceland, New Zealand has very low pollution levels because of its low population. With its stunning weather New Zealand is a great place for spending time outdoors and camping, fishing and hiking are very popular with New Zealanders. Besides being active, New Zealanders also eat plenty of fresh seafood (no part of New Zealand is more than a 90-minute drive away from the ocean) and local organic fruits and vegetables are abundant.
How we fare in the UK
In terms of happiness, the UK recently ranked 17th in the world in a Gallup poll. Life expectancy is at its best in England, with women expected to live to age 81 and men to age 78, but living to a healthy old age is rare.
If you’d like to be healthier for longer, take a cue from Japan, Iceland and New Zealand: eat fresh, healthy foods and get moving.
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