First, share your views on the perception of a thin body shape and its impact on health.
In this era where thinness is considered beauty, we often overlook the potential health crises hidden behind being slender. Today, let us explore why “thin” does not always mean healthy.
Recently, students from Kanto International High School in Japan have challenged their traditional understanding of “thin” through a special course. Professor Yoshifumi Tamura, an expert in the field of diabetes, pointed out that slender women may face a risk of elevated blood sugar levels.
According to a report by the Japan Economic News, in late June, 80 third-year students from Kanto International High School participated in a special course at Juntendo University. Professor Tamura, who specializes in diabetes, stated, “Slender women who eat little and do not exercise have lower muscle mass and quality, making them prone to elevated blood sugar.”
Students expressed their surprise, saying, “I used to think thin meant healthy,” and “Being too thin can easily lead to diabetes, which was truly shocking,” seemingly feeling that their previous “common sense” had been overturned.
Being slender refers to individuals over 18 years old with a body mass index (BMI) calculated by dividing weight (kg) by height (m) squared, which is below 18.5. For instance, a height of about 1.58 meters and a weight below 46.2 kilograms is considered slender. According to the World Health Organization statistics, 16.5% of women in Japan are slender, a notably high percentage among developed countries.
A survey of 1,000 young women revealed that over 90% wish to become thinner. This data prompts us to think about whether society’s excessive pursuit of thinness has deviated from the essence of health.
The “Healthy Body Agreement” led by Professor Tamura surveyed 1,000 women aged 16 to 23 and found that half of the 250 participants who were already very thin responded that they wanted to lose a little more weight. Among the approximately 700 women with a normal body shape, over 90% expressed the desire to slim down.
Japanese women have been yearning to be thinner since the 1980s. Professor Tamura stated, “The generation that believes being a little thinner in youth is better has now become mothers. Therefore, changing the value of favoring thinness is also important.”
Professor Tomohiro Yasuda from the nursing department at St. Christopher University expressed, “The awareness of eliminating obesity and the frequent presence of slender body shapes in media and online have had a significant impact.”
Being slender may not only lead to a decrease in muscle mass but also trigger health issues such as irregular menstruation and diabetes. Data from the World Health Organization shows that in Japan, the proportion of slender women is as high as 16.5%, a figure that deserves our reflection.
Among women in their 30s, the number of thin individuals is also increasing. Being too thin can lead to physical discomfort. If dietary intake and nutrition are insufficient, along with a lack of exercise, body fat percentage increases, and muscle mass decreases. As a result, insulin secretion decreases, thus increasing the risk of diabetes. Being too thin can also impair ovarian function, leading to irregular menstruation.
Being slender can also induce a pre-osteoporosis state characterized by reduced bone mass. As age increases, slender individuals may experience sarcopenia (reduced muscle mass and strength), which can further develop into a weak state of overall functional decline, often requiring care from others.
In Japan, the average daily energy intake of women in their 20s is around 1,600 kilocalories, which is about 100 kilocalories lower than the average for all age groups, and their intake of nutrients like protein is also insufficient. However, a 2021 report from the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare indicated that over 70% of slender young women expressed “no intention to improve their eating habits.”
People who eat out or dine at convenience stores can easily supplement their nutrition with a little effort. The Nishitama Public Health Center in Tokyo introduced some tips on its website, such as adding boiled eggs and vegetable juice on top of staple rice balls, and modifying clear soup into a vegetable soup with various ingredients, among others.
