Overweight Japanese with body mass indexes of 23.0–24.9 have higher risks for obesity-associated disorders: a comparison of Japanese and Mongolians

Abstract

OBJECTIVE:The degree of obesity of Asians is less than that of Caucasians. It has been suggested that Japanese, categorized as having normal weight (BMIo25.0), as defined by WHO (2000), have a tendency toward increased incidences of dyslipidemia and diabetes. Our objective was to analyze parameters constituting obesity-associated disorders in overweight Japanese and Mongolians with a body mass index (BMI) of 23.0-24.9, and to assess the suitability for Asians of the Regional Office for Western Pacific Region of WHO criteria pertaining to obesity (WPRO criteria, 2000). DESIGN: Cross-sectional study in a workplace setting. SUBJECTS: A total of 386 Japanese men and 363 Japanese women, and 102 Mongolian men and 155 Mongolian women. MEASUREMENTS: Anthropometric measurements (weight, height, waist circumference, hip circumference and blood pressure) and metabolic measurements (plasma levels of total cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, triglyceride, glucose and insulin). RESULTS: Graded increases in BMI of Japanese and Mongolians were positively associated with body fat percent, waist circumference, hip circumference and waist/hip ratio. The Japanese were categorized as 22% overweight, 22% obese I, 3% obese II; the Mongolians rated as 18% overweight, 34% obese I, 19% obese II, based on the WPRO BMI criteria. The Mongolians had a higher prevalence of obesity and a higher body fat percent, but a lesser gradation of dyslipidemia, than did the BMImatched Japanese groups. Overweight Japanese (BMI 23.0-24.9), in comparison to normal Japanese (BMI 18.5-22.9), had significant differences in systolic blood pressure, HDL-choresterol and triglyceride in men, and in systolic and diastolic blood pressure, HDL-choresterol, triglyceride, insulin and Homoeostasis model assessment-insulin resistance in women. In contrast, the Mongolians showed no significant differences in metabolic parameters between overweight and normal subjects, except for diastolic blood pressure. CONCLUSION: Since the relationship between abdominal fat mass and BMI is ethnic-specific, a universal BMI cutoff point is inappropriate for Asian populations such as the Japanese and Mongolians. The present investigation suggests that, while the WPRO criteria are suitable for Japanese, the WHO criteria are more appropriate for Mongolians.

Are Asians at greater mortality risks for being overweight than Caucasians? Redefining obesity for Asians

“…11?6 % in China cohort) (21) than comparable Western studies (2?2-3?0 % in NHANES), by including many who were not healthy to start with and were vulnerable for onslaught by malnutrition or infectious diseases. The way overweight or obesity was alternatively defined in our study fits the definition proposed by WPRO (16) and Shiwaku et al (19) . By way of mortality (28) or in an industrial cohort (RR 5 0?94 for overweight and RR 5 1?25 for obese group) (33) .…”

Comparative Study of Atherosclerotic Parameters in Mongolian and Japanese Patients with Hypertension and Diabetes Mellitus

“…In addition, inflammatory processes have recently received a great deal of attention in atherogenesis, and C-reactive protein (CRP) is one of the representative markers 11) . However, there are few comparative studies on atherosclerosis between Mongolian and Japanese populations 5,12) , and there are no such studies examining CAVI and CRP in particular in patients with atherosclerosis-related diseases. Therefore, the objective of the present study was to compare the atherosclerotic traits, including CAVI and CRP, between Mongolian and Japanese patients with HT and DM.…”

Evaluation of an Exercise Program for Diabetic Patients in Mongolia

“…Especially, obese people are increasing in Mongolia, and it was reported that one-third of the diabetic people were obese 4) . It was reported that there were proportionally more people in Mongolia than in Japan who were overweight or had a lot of body fat 5) . Ten years ago, prevention and management of diabetes were first established as important national goals for Mongolians 4) .…”