News: A waist of greater than 80-cm could classify you obese in Japan

The Japan Society for the Study of Obesity (JASSO) is considering revisions to the standards currently set for measuring obesity. Under the new guidelines, as reported by The Vancouver Sun, women with a waist size of more than 80 centimetres (31.5 inches) would be considered obese, even if their body mass index (BMI) is below 25.

Currently women in Japan with a BMI of 25 of more and and an abdominal girth of 90 centimetres (35.4 inches) or more are considered obese. For Japanese men, an abdominal girth of 85 centimetres (33.5 inches) and a BMI of more than 25 classifies them as obese.

Carrying around excess belly fat does put you at greater risk for premature death and increases your chances of developing chronic diseases such as diabetes and heart disease. According to a 2008 study, women with a waist size of 89 centimetres (35 inches) or more were twice as likely to die from heart disease and cancer than women with a waist size of less than 71 centimetres (28 inches).

What do you think of these potential revisions to Japan’s obesity classification system?

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