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Current Status and Prevention of Obesity

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Asian Perspectives and Evidence on Health Promotion and Education

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Abstract

Obesity is known to be a risk factor for cardiovascular disease and some cancers, and its prevention must be given a high priority in modern society. Metabolic syndrome is characterized by central obesity, impaired glucose tolerance, high blood pressure, and abnormal lipid metabolism, and is related to an increased risk of cardiovascular disease. The prevalence of metabolic syndrome has been increasing worldwide, in parallel with the increasing prevalence of obesity, and an urgent need for preventive strategies exists. In Asian populations, a higher percentage of body fat exists at low body mass index (BMI) values. This trend increases the risk of lifestyle-related diseases at a lower BMI. Thus, an appropriate BMI for Asians and its implications for policy and intervention strategies has been stated by the World Health Organization. For Asians, trigger points for public health action were identified as 23 kg/m2 or higher, representing an increased risk, and 27.5 kg/m2 or higher, representing a high risk (underweight, less than 18.5 kg/m2; an increased but acceptable risk, 18.5–23 kg/m2; an increased risk, 23–27.5 kg/m2; and a high risk, 27.5 kg/m2 or higher). Because of changes to a high-fat diet and insufficient exercise, the prevalence of obesity has been increasing throughout the world not only in developed countries but also in developing countries. Thus, careful attention to lifestyle is needed.

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Notes

  1. 1.

    Waist circumference in the NNS-J was measured at the level of the umbilicus while the subject was standing.

  2. 2.

    Note that the NNS-J definition, which is used for individuals who are strongly suspected of having metabolic syndrome or imminent metabolic syndrome, differs from the criteria used for metabolic syndrome in Japanese criteria in terms of the lipid metabolism and glucose tolerance criteria that are considered abnormal.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Epidemiology and International Health, National Center for Global Health and Medicine, 1-21-1 Toyama, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo, 162-8655, Japan

    Yumi Matsushita

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  1. Yumi Matsushita
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Correspondence to Yumi Matsushita .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Public Health, Dokkyo Medical University School of Medicine, 880 Kitakobayashi, Mibu-machi, Shimotsuga-gun, Tochigi, 321-0293, Japan

    Takashi Muto M.D., Ph.D. (Professor) (Professor)

  2. Department of Public Health and International Health, Graduate School of Medicine Kyoto University, Yoshida-Konoe-cho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto, 606-8501, Japan

    Toshitaka Nakahara M.D., Ph.D., M.P.H. (Professor) (Professor)

  3. Healthy City Research Center Institute of Health and Welfare, Yonsei University, 234 Maeji-ri, Heungup-myun, Wounju-si, Gangwon-do, 220-710, Republic of Korea

    Eun Woo Nam (Professor) (Professor)

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Matsushita, Y. (2011). Current Status and Prevention of Obesity. In: Muto, T., Nakahara, T., Nam, E.W. (eds) Asian Perspectives and Evidence on Health Promotion and Education. Springer, Tokyo. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-4-431-53889-9_31

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-4-431-53889-9_31

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Tokyo

  • Print ISBN: 978-4-431-53888-2

  • Online ISBN: 978-4-431-53889-9

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