Obesity is increasing worldwide due to lifestyle-related habits such as overeating and lack of exercise. It causes various diseases such as type 2 diabetes and high blood pressure and shortens healthy life expectancy.In addition, although it is closely related to lifestyle, it has been reported from overseas that various social backgrounds of individuals also affect obesity.Due to racial and cultural differences from overseas, it was necessary to clarify the relationship between obesity and social background through surveys in Japan.

　In 2018, Kobe City conducted a questionnaire survey on living conditions and health issues for 2 citizens (aged 20 to under 65).Professor Tamori et al. Examined the relationship between obesity and the living background of individuals from the results of 5425 licensed responses from this survey.

　As a result, in women, marital status, household financial status, educational background, and childhood adversity were associated with obesity.Adversity experiences in childhood included physical violence from parents, inadequate feeding and clothing, and insults and rants from parents that hurt their hearts.On the other hand, males (10.6%) were more obese than females (27.2%), as was the case in Japan, but there was no statistical difference in any of the survey items among males.

　In the past, obesity was often regarded as "a lack of individual efforts to improve lifestyle habits."However, obesity in women is also affected by socio-economic conditions, and in order to prevent obesity, not only medical efforts but also social welfare including promotion of child welfare including promotion of abuse prevention are included. Intervention from various perspectives is also important.

Paper information:[PLOS ONE] Sex difference in the association of obesity with personal or social background among urban residents in Japan