What Percentage of Japanese Have Diabetes?

The prevalence of diabetes has been on the rise in Japan in recent years. The increase can be ascribed to a sedentary lifestyle and increased fat consumption.

The prevalence ofdiabeteshas been on the rise in Japan in recent years. The increase can be ascribed to a sedentary lifestyle and increased fat consumption. Althoughobesityrates are lower in Japan than in the West, it is estimated that more than 12 million Japanese have highsugarlevels. This means 7.14 percent men and 4.50 percent women have frankdiabetesand the prevalence rate ofprediabetes(impaired bloodsugarlevels) is 14.31 percent in men and 15.56 percent in women. This points to an increasing trend indiabetesin Japanese people.

There are many contributing factors for diabetes development in Japanese people including dietary patterns, physical inactivity,smokingand many others.

Dietary patterns

White rice is the staple food of Japanese people. Unlike brown rice, white rice is devoid of dietaryfiberandvitamins. Dietary fiber andvitaminsact as protective factors againsttype 2 diabetes. A study reported that a high intake of white rice increased the risk oftype 2 diabetesin women. Moreover, white rice is high inglycemic index, which is known to cause spikes in blood sugar levels, resulting in beta cellfatigue. In general, people who ate three to four servings of white rice per day were more likely to have diabetes than those who ate the least amount of rice.

The rice-based Japanesedietalso lacks calcium-rich food, which was associated with an increased risk oftype 2 diabetes. However, much research is required to prove the relationship between traditional Japanese food and diabetes development.

Genetics

A new study has found that a combination of a sedentary lifestyle and the presence of a particular gene variant elevates the risk of type 2 diabetes in Japanese men. Men can modify the consequence of this new gene variant by being physically active. People who are highly active and restrict their calorie intake may avert the risk of type 2 diabetes.

Eating habits

A study conducted in Japanese people has shown that eating fast is correlated with the risk of new-onset diabetes. Generally, middle-aged men who were fast eaters with a high body mass index (BMI) and a large waist circumference were more likely to be diagnosed with type 2 diabetes.

Please note that the study was conducted in the general population and it does not apply to any individual or specific Japanese groups.

Body type

Japanese people and other Asian populations tend to have more visceral fat (extra body fat) and less muscle mass compared to individuals of other ethnic populations.

The visceral fat isn’t visible and can increase the risk ofheart disease,strokeand other health conditions.

Historically, standard BMI ranges do not apply to people of Asian descent, especially in the normal weight range (18.5 to 24.9). Researchers suggest that Asians should be tested if their BMI is 23 or above.

Diabetes can be prevented or delayed, but only if people know they’re at risk and take action.

Lifestyle risks

Lifestyle risks such as sedentary lifestyle, binge drinking andsmokingcan contribute to the development of type 2 diabetes.