Japan's New Extra Slim "Cinderella Weight" Diet Is Highly Controversial

There have been a number of interesting diet trends sweeping throughout Asia. The latest one in Japan uses a mathematical formula that’s seeing increased popularity among young women called the “Cinderella weight.”

The reference is to the fairytale princess who has a small, delicate frame and skinny waist.

The Cinderella weight (in kilograms) is calculated as Height in meters (squared) multiplied by 18.

For example, a woman with a height of 165 centimeters, or 1.65 meters would have a “Cinderella weight” of 49 kilograms. (1.65 X 1.65 = 2.7225, 2.7225 X 18 = 49.005)

Experts at the Japan Medical Association (JMA), however, recommend a weight that is 18% higher than the “Cinderella Weight” to be healthy.

JMA states that the ideal body weight in kilograms should be equal to an individual’s height in meters squared multiplied by 22; which would out to 59.9 kilograms for the example woman above.

Not surprisingly, it seems that the “Cinderella weight” measurement has received some backlash in Japan. Take a look at some comments from Twitter:

今若い子が目指す「シンデレラ体重」なるものがあって計算したら、宇宙が見えた。震え上がってる。 pic.twitter.com/3ItP7J7GOH

— ナスジロウ (@nash_yhaa) February 18, 2018

“The young children are now aiming for the ‘Cinderella weight’, and I’m horrified.” — @nash_yhaa

早見表です。これだと骨と皮だけになってしまいますね。 pic.twitter.com/4wpeQVRJlF

— 借りてきたネコ@常駐派遣 (@sinrin0k0) February 18, 2018

“This is the chart. When you follow this, you’d only be bone and skin.” —@sinrin0k0

今話題のシンデレラ体重なんですけど、あれただ単にBMI18の体重にしろって言ってるだけなんすよ
BMI18ってどういうことかって言うと、標準体重とされる最低ラインなのでかなりの痩せです
シンデレラになった方はガラスの靴じゃなくて栄養失調に片足突っ込んでることを自覚してください

— そ°えーん (@300doll_onany) February 18, 2018

“The ‘Cinderella Weight’ is basically 18 in terms of BMI, which is the lowest line in regard to standard weight. It is incredibly thin. People with the ‘Cinderella weight’ don’t have their foot in a glass slipper but have a foot into malnutrition.” — @demisefgo

However, there are also those who say that there’s nothing wrong about being the “Cinderella weight”.

シンデレラ体重より軽いけど健康診断受けてて普通に健康だしダイエットしてないし病的にがりがりでもない。
もともと太らない体質だからだと思うけど、そんな人は普通にいると思う。

— まゆ (@opabunmi1344) February 18, 2018

“I weigh less than the ‘Cinderella weight’ but my doctors tell me that I’m healthy. I’m not dieting or morbidly ill. I think it’s just because I naturally don’t gain weight. I’m normal.” — @opabunmi1344

共感したのでRTしました。
私もシンデレラ体重より軽いですが、別にガリガリでもなんでもないし、普通にやっていってます。ほんといっぱいそんな人いると思いますよ。

— Usagi🐇 (@_Usagi_Ra) February 19, 2018

“I weigh less than the ‘Cinderella weight’ but I don’t have anything to do with extreme dieting. I live normally. I think there a lot of people like me too.” — @_Usagi_Ra

But the one thing both parties seem to agree on is that being healthy is the most important thing.