Abstract
Objective: We developed an easy-to-use visceral fat meter, which measures visceral fat area precisely, and utilized it in health guidance. To examine factors contributing to visceral fat accumulation, we prepared a diet and lifestyle questionnaire, and conducted research in the workplace using it. We then performed analysis on relationships between questionnaire responses and visceral fat measurements.
Methods: Three hundred and twenty-six obesity-related sentences regarding diet, lifestyle and mental characteristics were collected from open access sources and rewritten in question form. The 326 questions were then used in Internet research targeting 2,199 participants. Factor analysis was conducted to select search items, reliability was analyzed and factor structure determined. Workplace research was conducted using the questionnaire and visceral fat area was measured for 11,712 workers of domestic companies. Factor structures were compared between the Internet research and workplace research, and correlations between visceral fat measurements and questionnaire responses were analyzed by the categorical regression method.
Results: Thirty-five items were selected from the 326 questions. The 5 factors of “Hunger”, “Health-oriented”, “Mealtime”, “Restrained eating”, and “Activity” were isolated. The factor structures of the Internet research and workplace research were very similar. The result for visceral fat area (mean ± SD) was 72.1 ± 38.0cm2. Regression of visceral fat measurements and 5 factors model revealed significance (p<0.001), The “Restrained-eating” factor had the strongest correlation and coefficient beta was negative.
Conclusion: The questionnaire prepared based on Internet research was considered to be useful in workplace research. Dietary education concerning restrained eating was considered to be beneficial to worker health.
