Title : Health-related lifestyles on overweight/obesity status of women in Japan
Abstract:
Lifestyle behaviors influence our weight and general health and are influenced by different social factors. Westernization, which includes unhealthy eating habits, dietary changes, and decreased physical activity, has increased significantly in both developed and developing countries. Obesity and other lifestyle-related disorders have become more prevalent over time. This study aimed to examine the prospective relationships between modifiable lifestyle behaviors and chronic diseases with BMI among the women of Japan.
Obesity was classified in this study using the Asian Pacific Guidelines. Between April 2016 and March 2022, we performed a six-year prospective cohort study on all women who received annual medical examinations at Mito regional health check-up centers. A total of 3462 women aged 20 to 69 were measured multiple times. In addition to physical assessments, blood pressure and anthropometric measurements were performed. Self-reported questionnaires were used to evaluate health-related lifestyle and current treatment. A generalized estimating equation (GEE) binary logistic regression was used to calculate the effect of repeated measurements on overweight/obese status over time.
The GEE model included lifestyle behaviors such as smoking, eating habits, alcohol consumption, and physical activity (exercise). Eating habits including eating fast and eating dinner no later than two hours before bed had a positive effect on overweight and obesity ([95%CI] = 0.092 [1.008-1.193] and [95%CI] = 0.076 [0.997-1.166], correspondingly). Women taking anti-hypertensive medications and anti-diabetic (hypoglycemic) medications demonstrated positive effects ([95%CI] = 0.353 [1.250-1.621] and [95%CI] = 0.300 [1.059-1.721], respectively).
Obesity based on the Asian Pacific Guidelines, we found that throughout the six-year observation period, specific eating habits and comorbidities are associated with overweight/obesity status. There needs to be more effort put into promoting healthy habits.
