ISRN Obes. 2013 Apr 24;2013:473764. eCollection 2013.

Effects of Visceral Fat Accumulation Awareness on a Web-Based Weight-Loss Program: Japanese Study of Visceral Adiposity and Lifestyle Information-Utilization and Evaluation (J-VALUE).

Sakane N1, Dohi S2, Sakata K3, Hagiwara SI4, Morimoto T5, Uchida T5, Katashima M5, Yanagisawa Y5, Yasumasu T5, Study Group JV1.

Author information

• 1Division of Preventive Medicine, Clinical Research Institute, National Hospital Organization Kyoto Medical Center, 1-1 Mukouhata-cho, Fukakusa, Fushimi-ku, Kyoto 612-8555, Japan.
• 2Health Management Department, Mitsui Chemicals Inc., Shiodome City Center 1-5-2, higashi-Shinbashi, Minato-ku, Tokyo 105-7117, Japan.
• 3Nippon Steel & Sumitomo Metal Corporation, 5-33 Kitahama 4-Chome, Chuo-ku, Osaka 541-0041, Japan.
• 4EG Health Care Center, Honda Engineering Co., Ltd, 6-1 Hagadai, Haga-machi, Haga-gun, Tochigi 321-3395, Japan.
• 5Kao Corporation, 2-1-3 Bunka, Sumida-ku, Tokyo 131-8501, Japan.

Abstract

A reduction of visceral fat is important for improvement of metabolic risk. This study was designed to compare the effects of a web-based program alone or together with measurement and self-awareness of accumulated visceral fat in Japanese workers. A new noninvasive device to measure visceral fat accumulation was introduced, and efficacy on weight-loss and improvement of healthy behaviors were examined. This study was conducted according to Helsinki declaration and approved by the ethical committee of Japan Hospital Organization, National Kyoto Hospital. Two-hundred and sixteen overweight and obese males with BMI of more than 23 participated from 8 healthcare offices of 3 Japanese private companies. Subjects were randomly allocated into control group, Web-based weight-loss program (Web), or Web + Visceral fat measurement group (Web + VFA). Eighty-one percent of participants completed the study. Reductions of body weight, waist circumference, and BMI were the largest in Web + VFA group, and the differences between groups were significant by ANOVA. Improvements of healthy behaviors were the largest in Web + VFA group, and the differences of healthy eating improvement scores between Web + VFA and control groups were significant. Our findings suggest that measurement and awareness of visceral fat are effective in weight reduction in overweight and obese males in the workplace.