• Overview
  • Obesity prevalence
  • Trends over time
  • Contextual factors
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Obesity prevalence

Adults, 2019

Survey type:Measured
Age:20+
Sample size:4273
Area covered:National
References:Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare. The National Health and Nutrition Survey (NHNS) Japan, 2019 (English Summary) . Available at https://www.nibiohn.go.jp/eiken/kenkounippon21/download_files/eiyouchousa/2019.pdf (last accessed 22.09.22)
Notes:Excel results with a breakdown of BMI 25-29.9 & 30=> available at https://www.e-stat.go.jp/stat-search/files?page=1&layout=datalist&toukei=00450171&tstat=000001041744&cycle=7&tclass1=000001148507&tclass2val=0
Unless otherwise noted, overweight refers to a BMI between 25kg and 29.9kg/m², obesity refers to a BMI greater than 30kg/m².

Adults, 2018

Survey type:Measured
Age:20+
Sample size:5234
Area covered:National
References:National Health and Nutrition Survey, 2018 published by the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare. Available at https://www.nibiohn.go.jp/eiken/kenkounippon21/download_files/eiyouchousa/2018.pdf (last accessed 17.05.21)
Definitions:Paper classifies obesity as BMI => 25 Kg/M2
Cutoffs:Other
Unless otherwise noted, overweight refers to a BMI between 25kg and 29.9kg/m², obesity refers to a BMI greater than 30kg/m².

Adults, 2012

Survey type:Measured
Age:15+
Area covered:National
References:OECD (2015), Overweight or obese population (indicator). doi: 10.1787/86583552-en (Accessed on 17 June 2015) from National Health Nutrition Survey 2012
Unless otherwise noted, overweight refers to a BMI between 25kg and 29.9kg/m², obesity refers to a BMI greater than 30kg/m².

Adults, 2000

Survey type:Measured
Age:20+
Sample size:15000
Area covered:National
References:Asia Pacific Cohort Studies Collaboration. The burden of overweight and obesity in the Asia-Pacific region. Obesity Reviews 2007;8:191-196.
Unless otherwise noted, overweight refers to a BMI between 25kg and 29.9kg/m², obesity refers to a BMI greater than 30kg/m².

Adults, 1986-1990

Survey type:Measured
Age:20+
References:Yoshiike N, Seino F, Tajima S, Arai Y, Kawano M, Furuhata T, Inoue S. Twenty-year changes in the prevalence of overweight in Japanese adults: The National Nutrition Survey 1976-95. Obesity Reviews 2002;3:183-190
Unless otherwise noted, overweight refers to a BMI between 25kg and 29.9kg/m², obesity refers to a BMI greater than 30kg/m².

Adults, 1981-1985

Survey type:Measured
Age:20+
References:Yoshiike N, Seino F, Tajima S, Arai Y, Kawano M, Furuhata T, Inoue S. Twenty-year changes in the prevalence of overweight in Japanese adults: The National Nutrition Survey 1976-95. Obesity Reviews 2002;3:183-190
Unless otherwise noted, overweight refers to a BMI between 25kg and 29.9kg/m², obesity refers to a BMI greater than 30kg/m².

Adults, 1976-1980

Survey type:Measured
Age:20+
References:Yoshiike N, Seino F, Tajima S, Arai Y, Kawano M, Furuhata T, Inoue S. Twenty-year changes in the prevalence of overweight in Japanese adults: The National Nutrition Survey 1976-95. Obesity Reviews 2002;3:183-190
Unless otherwise noted, overweight refers to a BMI between 25kg and 29.9kg/m², obesity refers to a BMI greater than 30kg/m².

Children, 2019

Survey type:Measured
Age:6-14
Sample size:393
Area covered:National
References:Japan National Health and Nutrition 2019 Survey. Excel results available at https://www.e-stat.go.jp/stat-search/files?page=1&layout=datalist&toukei=00450171&tstat=000001041744&cycle=7&tclass1=000001148507&tclass2val=0 ('last accessed 27.09.22)
Notes:NB VERY SMALL SAMPLE SIZE
Definitions:Determination of obesity by school health statistics survey method. The degree of obesity in 6 to 14 years old was determined from the standard weight by age and height. Degree of obesity (overweight) = (measured weight (kg) - standard weight by height (kg)) / standard by height Weight (kg) x 100 (%) Overweight +20-30% Obesity >30%
Cutoffs:Other

Children, 2012

Survey type:Measured
Age:6-14
Sample size:2192
Area covered:National
References:Japan National Health and Nutrition 2012 Survey. Excel results available at https://www.e-stat.go.jp/stat-search/files?page=1&layout=datalist&toukei=00450171&tstat=000001041744&cycle=7&tclass1=000001148507&tclass2val=0 ('last accessed 18.09.23)
Definitions:Determination of obesity by school health statistics survey method. The degree of obesity in 6 to 14 years old was determined from the standard weight by age and height. Degree of obesity (overweight) = (measured weight (kg) - standard weight by height (kg)) / standard by height Weight (kg) x 100 (%) Overweight +20-30% Obesity >30%
Cutoffs:Other

Children, 2010

Survey type:Measured
Age:6-14
Sample size:655
Area covered:National
References:Japan National Health and Nutrition 2010 Survey. Excel results available at https://www.e-stat.go.jp/stat-search/files?page=1&layout=datalist&toukei=00450171&tstat=000001041744&cycle=7&tclass1=000001148507&tclass2val=0 ('last accessed 18.09.23)
Notes:NB. Small sample size
Definitions:Determination of obesity by school health statistics survey method. The degree of obesity in 6 to 14 years old was determined from the standard weight by age and height. Degree of obesity (overweight) = (measured weight (kg) - standard weight by height (kg)) / standard by height Weight (kg) x 100 (%) Overweight +20-30% Obesity >30%
Cutoffs:Other

Children, 2004-2007

Survey type:Measured
Age:9-10
Sample size:1436
Area covered:Regional - Ina
References:Ochiai, Hirotaka, et al. “Changes in Overweight/Obesity and Central Obesity Status from Preadolescence to Adolescence: A Longitudinal Study among Schoolchildren in Japan.” BMC Public Health, vol. 20, no. 1, 17 Feb. 2020, 10.1186/s12889-020-8343-3. Accessed 11.10.21.
Cutoffs:IOTF

Children, 1996-2000

Survey type:Measured
Age:6-8
Sample size:56604
Area covered:National
References:Matsushita Y, Yoshiike N, Kaneda F, Yoshita K, Takimoto H. Trends in Childhood obesity in Japan over the last 25 years from the National Nutrition Survey. Obesity Research 2004;12(2):205-214
Notes:56604 = total number included for the duration of the study
Cutoffs:IOTF

Children, 1986-1990

Survey type:Measured
Age:6-8
Sample size:56604
Area covered:National
References:Matsushita Y, Yoshiike N, Kaneda F, Yoshita K, Takimoto H. Trends in Childhood obesity in Japan over the last 25 years from the National Nutrition Survey. Obesity Research 2004;12(2):205-214
Notes:56604 = total number included for the duration of the study
Cutoffs:IOTF

Children, 1976-1980

Survey type:Measured
Age:6-8
Sample size:56604
Area covered:National
References:Matsushita Y, Yoshiike N, Kaneda F, Yoshita K, Takimoto H. Trends in Childhood obesity in Japan over the last 25 years from the National Nutrition Survey. Obesity Research 2004;12(2):205-214
Notes:56604 = total number included for the duration of the study
Cutoffs:IOTF

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