A Study on an Island-sensitive Approach for Obesity and Noncommunicable Disease Prevention in the Asia-Pacific Islands

2016 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 15H06875
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Research Activity Start-up
• Allocation Type: Single-year Grants
• Research Field: Hygiene and public health
• Research Institution: National Institute of Public Health
• Principal Investigator: Nomura Marika 国立保健医療科学院, その他部局等, 主任研究官 (30453575)
• Project Period (FY): 2015-08-28 – 2017-03-31
• Keywords: 栄養転換 / 肥満 / 生活習慣病 / 大洋州 / 島嶼性

Outline of Final Research Achievements

In Asia and Pacific Islands, taking measures against obesity is an urgent matter for the prevention of Noncommunicable diseases (NCDs). In this study, we analyzed the community data from the Republic of Fiji with the purpose of discovering an island-sensitive approach for obesity and NCD prevention. Based on our description analysis by sex and age group, 50% of the women in their 30s and 40s, and 60% of the women in their 50s, were obese with a BMI of over 30. The three obesity indicators were verified by calculating their sensitivity and accuracy in predicting hypertension (HTN) and diabetes (DM). As a result, we have found that the AUC value of the waist-to-height ratio (WHtR) was larger than both the BMI and the WC in predicting especially HTN in men. Using of the WHtR would be considered one of the better options as a simple method not requiring weight scale or equipment for the early detection of NCDs risk in the Pacific Islander communities.

Free Research Field

国際栄養