Japan gov't to launch survey on weight, dietary habits of young women

Jul 04 (Kyodo) - The government has set up a research group to investigate issues including body image attitudes and diet and lifestyle habits, as part of attempts to lower the high proportion of underweight young adult women in Japan, the health ministry said Monday.

Being underweight puts individuals' health at greater risk, and can present dangers to newborn children, so the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare intends to use the group's findings to improve understanding of the importance of maintaining a normal weight by spreading awareness on the risks of excessive and unbalanced diets.

The 2019 National Health and Nutrition Survey showed 20.7 percent of women in their 20s had an underweight body mass index of below 18.5, while 70.4 percent had a BMI between 18.5 and 24.9 deemed a normal weight, and 8.9 percent had an overweight BMI of 25.0 or above.

Source: TBS NEWS

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