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Japan Times
3 days ago
- Health
- Japan Times
Female Underweight/Undernutrition Syndrome to be classified disorder
The Japan Society for the Study of Obesity announced in April that it will recognize a new health disorder affecting women, to be classified as Female Underweight/Undernutrition Syndrome, or FUS, linked to being underweight and suffering undernutrition. According to the group, known as JASSO, 20% of women in their 20s in Japan are underweight, one of the highest rates among developed countries. It plans to establish diagnostic criteria for the syndrome as part of efforts to promote early detection and prevention. The trend toward thinness among young women in Japan has become increasingly pronounced in recent years. According to the health ministry's 2023 National Health and Nutrition Survey, 12.0% of women aged 20 and over were classified as underweight on the basis of their body mass index, or BMI, a standard measure used to assess weight status. By contrast, only 4.4% of men in the same age group were considered underweight. By age group, 24.4% of women in their 20s and 17.9% of women in their 30s were underweight. The calculation of BMI involves dividing people's weight in kilograms by the square of their height measured in meters. According to JASSO guidelines, a BMI of 22 is considered the standard, with a reading below 18.5 classified as "thin" or "underweight," between 18.5 and below 25 as "normal weight," and 25 and above as "obese." JASSO defines FUS as a condition in which extreme weight loss and undernutrition in women age from 18 up to menopause leads to a range of health issues. These include decreased bone density or osteoporosis, irregular menstrual cycles, muscle weakness, anemia, fatigue, depression and metabolic abnormalities. FUS can lower quality of life over the medium to long term and increase the risk of frailty, declines in mental and physical vitality and other aspects of life often associated with aging, according to the society. Explaining a major factor contributing to the rise of FUS, the society noted that "the value equating thinness with beauty has become widespread, leading many, especially young women, to engage in weight-loss behaviors such as restricting food intake." In 2023, My Well Body Kyogikai, a group dedicated to women's health issues, conducted an online survey of 1,000 women in Japan between the ages of 16 and 23. The results revealed that about 20% of underweight women, and more than half of women with a normal weight, considered themselves to be "fat." Additionally, 16% of underweight women and 48% of women with a normal weight said they wanted to lose more weight. The most common motivation cited was the desire to feel more confident about themselves. The survey results also suggest that social media platforms such as Instagram, YouTube and TikTok may be influencing a range of weight loss behaviors. In recent years, the use of medications originally developed for the treatment of obesity and diabetes has surged among individuals seeking to lose weight, a trend that has raised concerns among health experts. Such drugs typically work by suppressing appetite or increasing the excretion of sugar through urine, leading to weight loss as a secondary effect. There are worries about health risks, however, including acute pancreatitis and other serious side effects. Wataru Ogawa, executive director of JASSO, said, "Medical systems and public health measures (in Japan) have historically focused on combating obesity, while systematic approaches to address underweight and undernutrition have been insufficient." He emphasized that the organization plans to establish diagnostic criteria and promote educational initiatives, following the collection of relevant medical evidence.
Time of India
21-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Japan fast-tracks global education push; eyes 4,00,000 international students by 2033
Japan is moving steadily toward its long-term goal of hosting 400,000 international students by 2033. As of May 2024, the country had already exceeded its first milestone-reaching and surpassing its pre-pandemic benchmark of 312,000 students three years ahead of schedule, as per a report by ICEF Monitor. According to data from the Japan Student Services Organization (JASSO), there are now 336,708 international students in the country. This marks a 21% increase from the previous year and positions Japan well on the path to meeting its 2033 target. Most of the students (96%) are self-funded, while the remaining few receive scholarships from the Japanese government or foreign governments. Higher education institutions account for 68% of enrolments, and Japanese language schools make up the remaining 32%. Play Video Pause Skip Backward Skip Forward Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration 0:00 Loaded : 0% 0:00 Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 1x Playback Rate Chapters Chapters Descriptions descriptions off , selected Captions captions settings , opens captions settings dialog captions off , selected Audio Track default , selected Picture-in-Picture Fullscreen This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Opacity Opaque Semi-Transparent Text Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Opacity Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Caption Area Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Opacity Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Drop shadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Among those enrolled in higher education (229,467 students), 40% are in undergraduate or junior college programmes, 25% are pursuing graduate studies, 33% are in professional training colleges, and 2% are in university preparatory courses. (Join our ETNRI WhatsApp channel for all the latest updates) The majority of international students in Japan come from other Asian countries. In 2024, 92.5% of students came from within the region, with China, Nepal, Vietnam, Myanmar, and South Korea making up nearly 80% of total enrolments. Nepal saw particularly strong growth, with a 70% increase in student numbers year-on-year. Live Events RECOMMENDED STORIES FOR YOU International students face challenges rebuilding their lives after US reversal in visa crackdown Studying in UK just got more expensive for international students The Post-Brexit edge: Why Ireland is fast becoming a preferred study destination for international students Japan's major urban regions remain the key destinations. The Kanto and Kinki prefectures, which include Tokyo and Osaka, hosted more than 75% of the international student population. Academically, 70% of international students were studying humanities or social sciences, while 14% were enrolled in science or engineering programmes. Japan's education policy continues to prioritise global engagement, and the current enrolment numbers reflect growing interest and access for students from across Asia.
