Obesity: Global Problem, Local Differences

According to the classification of obesity developed by the Japan Society for the Study of Obesity, obesity is defined as a BMI of 25 kg/m2 or more—lower than the WHO definition of obesity, which is a BMI > 30 kg/m2. This was determined because Japanese, and some other ethnic groups in the region, develop co-morbidities linked to obesity at a lower BMI than do other populations, such as Europeans. Hence the need to ‘lower the bar’ for the definition of obesity. 

According to the classification of obesity developed by the Japan Society for the Study of Obesity, obesity is defined as a BMI of 25 kg/m2 or more—lower than the WHO definition of obesity, which is a BMI > 30 kg/m2. This was determined because Japanese, and some other ethnic groups in the region, develop co-morbidities linked to obesity at a lower BMI than do other populations, such as Europeans. Hence the need to ‘lower the bar’ for the definition of obesity. 

– “Products, Technologies and Markets Worldwide for the Clinical Management of Obesity, 2011-2019.” Report #S835, MedMarket Diligence, LLC

There is a common trend worldwide of increasing prevalence in obesity, and this leads consistently to the challenges, costs and new clinical approaches to obesity that make it such a significant field of focus in medtech, but there are distinct geographic differences in obesity that lead to differences in global medtech markets.

In the case of Japan, the dynamics of how new medtech alternatives will emerge over the next few years are very similar to other geographies, yet there are differences stemming from the nature of clinical practice, culture, regulatory climate and other traits unique to Japan. 

Below is a graphic forecast of the Japanese market for obesity, which will evolve in its own, unique way.

Source: Report #S835 from MedMarket Diligence, LLC