Obesity and glucose metabolism abnormalities by post-disaster evacuation.

Abstract

The objectives of this study were to determine the longer-term trends in childhood obesity and glucose metabolism abnormalities among residents of Fukushima Prefecture 5 years after the Great East Japan Earthquake. We evaluated the changes for height, weight, body mass index (BMI), BMI SD score, fasting plasma glucose (FPG) concentration, and hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) in elementary and junior high school residents who had lived in the evacuation zone between 2011 and 2015. 1) Of the Residents, 11,112 received health checks, while in 2012, 2013, 2014 and 2015, 5,737, 4,522, 4,297 and 3,405 received health checks, respectively. 2) The mean BMI SD score for all participants in 2011 was 0.149, and this score gradually decreased from 2011 to 2015. 3) FPG levels and HbA1c levels for all participants with a BMI value≧+2SD in 2011 were higher than those in residents with a BMI value < +2SD. 4) The frequency of participants with a FPG level ≧126 mg/dl and the frequency of participants with a HbA1c level ≧6.5 % in 2011 were higher than those in 2012, 2013, and 2015. These results suggest that a number of pediatric residents suffered from obesity and glucose metabolism abnormalities. Furthermore, the longer-term observations indicated an improvement in obesity and glucose metabolism abnormalities. There was a strong association observed between obesity and glucose metabolism, thus, it is considered important to continue with health checks for children with obesity and strive to improve their health.