TOKYO – A survey commissioned by pharmaceutical companies indicates that approximately 90% of Japanese individuals affected by " obesity disorder" consider their health issue to be due to personal factors. However, an expert overseeing the research disputes this perspective.
Pinpointing the reasons behind obesity as a disorder demands careful consideration due to the involvement of multiple elements, such as genetic influences. Attributing this condition solely to personal choices may foster a climate that discourages sufferers from obtaining professional guidance and adequate treatment.
The Japan Society for the Study of Obesity (JASSO) characterizes "obesity" as an individual with a Body Mass Index (BMI) of 25 or greater. On the other hand, "obesity disease" refers to individuals whose BMI meets this criterion along with the presence of at least one out of eleven designated health conditions like high blood pressure or diabetes.
In November 2024, Eli Lilly Japan K.K. and Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma Corp. carried out an online survey that collected feedback from 1,600 participants. These included individuals affected by obesity, medical professionals, and ordinary citizens.
When queried about accountability for obesity, 87% of individuals affected by this condition stated that it is a personal responsibility, with 63% asserting that it is entirely up to the individual. Conversely, when doctors were presented with the same query, 64% held the individual accountable, yet merely 6% felt it rested completely on the patient alone.
As per the "Obesity Disorder Management Guidelines 2022" developed by JASSO, the emergence of this condition is affected by multiple elements like genetic predispositions, developmental stages, and societal influences. It’s important to recognize that the problem is frequently oversimplified as being solely due to personal management issues, particularly related to eating behaviors.
Negative social perceptions
Concerning healthcare provision, 87% of physicians and 78% of patients concurred that obesity should be treated as seriously, if not more so, than other diseases. Nonetheless, out of those surveyed but who weren’t doctors or patients, just 47% expressed opposition or uncertainty towards covering such treatments under health insurance. In contrast, this viewpoint was held by merely 21% of doctors and 34% of patients, highlighting stronger hesitance within the broader populace regarding insurance support for these interventions.
Hiroaki Masuzaki, a professor at the University of the Ryukyus Graduate School of Medicine who oversaw the survey, remarked, “The study revealed that the prejudice towards obesity runs deeper than anticipated. The illness associated with being obese should not be seen solely as an individual’s burden. Instead, it is essential for everyone—both those affected and society at large—to gain accurate knowledge about this condition and strive to remove such biases. This will help guarantee appropriate treatment and improve overall quality of life.”
(Digital News Group translation from Japanese original by Atsuko Ota)
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