# Impact of Annual Health Checkups on Five-Year Weight Gain in Japan: Considering Behavioral Change Stages in the Transtheoretical Model

## TL;DR

Frequent annual health checkups in Japan are linked to less weight gain over five years, especially among people under 65.

## Contribution

This study demonstrates that more frequent health checkups correlate with reduced weight gain, considering behavioral change stages.

## Key findings

- More frequent health checkups were associated with less weight gain over five years in both males and females.
- The association was significant for individuals under 65 years old, with noticeable weight loss trends.
- Statistical analyses confirmed the relationship with P-values less than 0.05.

## Abstract

Background

Obesity is a critical public health issue because this common disease leads to increased mortality. Therefore, controlling weight is essential. We aimed to evaluate whether undergoing health checkup examinations at least annually leads to better weight management.

Methodology

This longitudinal study utilized the health checkup examination data collected between April 2014 and March 2019 at the Seirei Health Care Division in Japan. Participants whose weight was measured in 2014 and 2019 were included. All analyses were performed according to sex and the three categories of health checkup examination frequency (twice, three to four times, and five to six times over five years). One-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and trend analysis were conducted on the average weight differences between 2014 and 2019. Covariance analysis was performed using age, body mass index, and the categories of the behavioral change stages in the transtheoretical model in 2014 as covariates in the one-way ANOVA. Subgroup analyses were conducted for two age groups: ≥ 65 and < 65 years.

Results

A total of 84,078 males and 51,418 females were included. The mean age (standard deviation) in 2014 was 44.2 (13.1) and 46.7 (13.2), respectively. The more frequently weight was measured, the less weight was gained after five years in both sexes; the average weight gain was 1.32, 1.17, and 0.95 kg in males and 1.26, 0.96, and 0.78 kg in females in the twice, three to four times, and five to six times frequency groups, respectively. The P-values for the one-way ANOVA, trend analysis, and covariance analysis were all < 0.05. This trend was true for those aged <65 years, whereas in those aged ≥65 years, weight loss was noticeable.

Conclusions

An association between weight gain after five years and the frequency of health checkup examinations was revealed among individuals aged <65 years. Weight gain may be controlled with annual health checkup examinations.