Comparative Observation of Body Mass Index among Adults in Korea and Japan

• Main Authors: Myeong-Jin Lee, Young-Hoon Chae, Won-Chang Lee, Young Hwan Kwon
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Aerospace Medical Association of Korea 2021-08-01
• Series: Hanggong uju uihakoeji
• Subjects: obesity; body mass index; sex; korea; japan

Background: Obesity is a major public health problem that is causally related to serious medical conditions. In this study, the public health implications of obesity based on body mass index (BMI) with anthropometric measures among adults in the Republic of Korea and Japan in 2019 were compared. Methods: A simple cross-section, nationally representative of the raw data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey in 2019 between Korea and Japan were used. We analyzed the data of those categorized as obese with a BMI of ≥25 kg/ m2 according to the World Health Organization Expert Consultation. Results: The average values of BMI based on body height and body weight among males and females in Korea were 24.6±0.08 and 23.3±0.09, respectively; those in Japan were 23.9±0.08 and 22.6±0.08, respectively. The measured anthropometric values were obviously higher in Korean than in Japan (P<0.01). The prevalence rates (PRs) of obesity by sex in Korea were 41.4% among males and 27.3% females; those in Japan were 32.5% among males and 22.0% among females. The statistically significant results showed that the total obesity rate was higher in males than in females in both countries (P<0.01). The PRs of obesity in Korea were 41.4% in males and 27.3% in females; those in Japan were 32.5% in males and 22.0% in females. The statistically significantly PR of total obesity among Korean adults was greater than that among Japanese adults (P<0.01). Conclusion: The PR of obesity in Korea relative to that in Japan showed a gradually increasing trend. Obesity is a major problem, especially in the pilot group. Reducing the prevalence of obesity among pilots is important for reducing in-flight medical incapacitation and ensuring flight safety. Obesity management is necessary to prevent obesity-related diseases and promote pilot health.