Worldwide epidemic of obesity: hope for Japanese diets

1. WHO-coordinated Cardiovascular Diseases and Alimentary Comparison Study (CARDIAC) and its follow-up, MONALISA Study covering 60 populations in 25 countries indicated an increasing prevalence of obesity, even in developing countries. 2. The index of obesity, BMI was confirmed to be related positively with both systolic and diastolic blood pressure (BP) in 60 CARDIAC populations and with the age-adjusted mortality rates of coronary heart diseases (CHD) in 25 populations where reliable demographic data were available. 3. CHD mortality rates were inversely related with biomarkers for soy bean and fish intakes, isoflavones and taurine in 24-h urine samples in 25 CARDIAC study populations. 4. Population samples were divided into two groups: soy eaters and non-eaters as well as fish eaters and non-eaters, respectively, based on WHO-CARDIAC study data. Soy eaters as well as fish eaters had significantly lower BMI, BP and serum cholesterol levels, which are three major CHD risk factors. 5. BMI was inversely related with 24-h urinary isoflavones excretion, the biomarker of soy intake and also with 24-h urinary excretion of histidine, relatively rich in fish. 6. Since both nutrients, isoflavones as phytoestrogen and histidine as the precursor of histamine may affect central appetite mechanisms, soy and fish intake may be recommended to control obesity, the major common risk of lifestyle-related diseases.