As part of the "SHIBUYA WOMEN'S WELLNESS SCORE Project," we released an overview of the survey in September. We are now releasing the full white paper, which details the survey methodology, data collection and analysis, conclusions, etc., as well as the raw data* from the online questionnaire survey that was recently conducted.
*For raw data that require a high level of specialisation, such as the number of days of menstruation, additional procedures are required to ensure that they are properly understood and handled.
This survey suggests that the subjective "improvement in emotional well-being" of health satisfaction may actually "contribute to improved health status." However, since some people have medical issues despite having high health satisfaction, it also shows that a women's health science approach (such as gynecology or sports frailty approaches) will be important.
Download the full white paper and raw data here
This project was carried out as part of the Shibuya Smart City Promotion Organization's Wellness x Urban Living "SHIBUYA WOMEN'S WELLNESS SCORE Project."
Project Hypothesis and Findings
In this project, we set two hypothesis questions.
- Low health literacy/wellness scores lead to an increase in the proportion of people who are underweight and a rise in future health risks
- Are there many people with medical issues among those with high health satisfaction?
Based on these hypotheses, we carried out a survey and found that while Shibuya women's overall health satisfaction is high, one in five women are in the low health satisfaction group. We also found that people with better health tend to have higher mental satisfaction. Differences in health satisfaction also affect motivation to diet, suggesting that people with lower health satisfaction tend to have stronger feelings of loneliness and financial anxiety.
On the other hand, there are many people with medical problems, which may lead to increased health risks in the future. In addition, while people with high health satisfaction tend to have good indices such as physical age and grip strength, some people have problems with bone density even if they are highly satisfied with their health.
About Shibuya Wellness Type
Four quadrants were set as analysis axes based on the level of "emotional well-being" (health satisfaction) and the presence or absence of medical problems. Those with high health satisfaction and no medical problems are the "Happy Green Type," those with high health satisfaction and medical problems are the "Happy Red Type," those with low health satisfaction and no medical problems are the "Unhappy Green Type," and those with low health satisfaction who need wellness intervention are the "Unhappy Green Type." These are the "Shibuya Wellness Types" framework. The reduction of the "Happy Red Type" will be an important theme in the future.
Future Actions
In this survey, we organized the items related to health satisfaction and lifestyle habits into 10 items and created a package to comprehensively evaluate them. The 10 items are age, health satisfaction, height and weight, BMI, menstrual cycle, number of menstrual days, whether or not to eat breakfast, exercise habits, sleep time, and finger ring test. Based on these items, we aim to analyze the distribution of points and convert them into scores in the future, which will enable more precise health evaluation. Regarding awareness raising, we will consider wellness measures by type and measure the effectiveness using quantified survey items. We believe that this will enable new efforts to promote the health of many people, including the residents of Shibuya Ward.
By making the results of the online questionnaire survey open data, we hope that the data will be accessible to a wider range of people, contributing to more widespread health awareness activities and the design of effective wellness measures.
Comments from experts
Yuko Sakamoto
Director of the Pediatric and AYA Bone Healthcare Center, Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Juntendo University Nerima Hospital / Representative of "TeamBONE", a university-based group of bone and information experts at the Health Information Consortium, Keio University SFC Research Institute
Among the subjects of this survey, the BMI of those with low health satisfaction was 17.2 kg/m2, which is in the "thin" range, which is also a problem in terms of bone health. In fact, it was surprising that 30% of those in their 30s and 40% of those in their 40s were at the "needs further examination" level. This survey was conducted using an ultrasound device, not the DXA method using X-rays, which is used as a diagnostic standard for osteoporosis, so it is only an estimate, but it is recommended nationwide that people in their 40s undergo osteoporosis screening every five years. However, the screening rate is low among those in their 40s, and those in their 30s are not eligible. It seems that osteoporosis can be fully prevented if young women in Shibuya Ward who are at risk of osteoporosis are diagnosed early and measures such as changing their lifestyle are taken. I felt that Shibuya Ward, which does not conduct osteoporosis screening, needs to take immediate action.
Masahiro Tanaka
Director of the Osteoporosis Center, Department of Rehabilitation, Rinku Nagayama Hospital, Sanwakai Social Medical Corporation / Member of the "TeamBONE" team of experts on bones and information, Health Information Consortium, Keio University SFC Research Institute
In Japan, there are about 200,000 cases of hip fractures due to osteoporosis per year. One in three women over 50 breaks a hip bone, and one in five breaks a hip bone. As osteoporosis has few subjective symptoms, we recommend bone density tests for women over 65 and men over 70 to prevent falls, fractures, and bedriddenness caused by osteoporosis. However, in light of the bone density test results of women in their 30s and 40s in Shibuya, many people are surprised that they require further examination. It is hoped that young women will also be screened for osteoporosis as soon as possible.
Yosuke Furukawa
Director of Fukuyama Orthopedic Clinic, Medical Corporation Hishokai / Keio University SFC Research Institute Health Information Consortium University-originated! Expert member of "TeamBONE", a group of experts on bones and information
The rate of women in their 40s in Shibuya who require further bone mineral density testing is 50.6%, which is more than 20 times higher than the 2.5% rate in a 2022 survey of women aged 40-44 nationwide and 2.9% rate in women aged 45-49 nationwide (survey by the Osteoporosis Foundation, a public interest incorporated foundation). The purpose of osteoporosis screening is to detect osteoporosis and its pre-symptomatic stages and intervene early. In order to reduce the number of osteoporotic fracture patients in the future and extend healthy life expectancy, it seems necessary for Shibuya Ward to implement osteoporosis screening from a young age and promote awareness to increase the rate of screening.
Yuichi Sato
Director of Sato Hospital, Obstetrics and Gynecology Tate Branch, Representative of Sato Hospital Group / Representative of Women's Health Research and Awareness Team "TeamROSE" of Health Information Consortium, Keio University SFC Research Institute
In order for women to be emotionally rich and physically healthy throughout their lives, it is important to visualize each individual's behavior, physical and mental state, and receive gynecological support. It is wonderful that these were surveyed, analyzed, and visualized in the "SHIBUYA WOMEN'S WELLNESS Survey 2024." Thinness in young women in particular is associated with ovulation disorders (irregular menstruation), decreased secretion of female hormones, and bone loss. In the future, we hope that these items and the results of the comprehensive wellness survey will be modeled as women's health measures that take into account not only the characteristics of female hormones, which change dramatically at each life stage, but also individual lifestyles, diet, and exercise, and are the result of industry-academia-government-private-medical collaboration.
Inoue, Tsuneko
Chairman of Futaba Nursery School (Social Welfare) Former Director of Kanagawa Prefecture Health and Prevention Bureau Senior Researcher at Keio University SFC Research Institute
"I want to dress up a little and walk around the beautiful streets" - Shibuya is a fashionable town that makes women feel good. The results of this survey in Shibuya are quite shocking. Nearly one in three women in their 30s are worried about their bone density, and may be at risk of osteoporosis and infertility. And the reason behind this is being "too thin". In order to correctly understand the dangers of the assumption that "the thinner you are, the healthier you are" and dieting tendencies, which are influenced by metabolic health checkups, and to improve wellness, we can expect to approach women working in companies in the ward from the perspective of "health management", and we can also install simple bone density measuring devices in world-famous designer toilets, which will have a big impact. Introducing social design along with landscape design and realizing a fashionable and wellness town in Shibuya will be a hope and model for all Japanese women.
About the "SHIBUYA WOMEN'S WELLNESS SCORE Project"
"What are healthy behaviors and lifestyles in urban life that will enhance the well-being of each individual in the Shibuya-related demographic* (people who live, work, study, visit, etc.)?" In order to co-create the "Shibuya Model" of the future, we will explore an image of wellness that is unique to Shibuya in response to the social issue of "supporting women's health."
By conducting a survey on the health status and awareness of young women in Shibuya, including their physical and mental states and overall happiness including the local community, and by defining an image of wellness that is unique to Shibuya and visualizing the wellness awareness and reality of Shibuya women, we aim to ultimately use the results as basic data and to consider policies to realize a well-being society in which all women active in Shibuya can play active roles throughout their lives.
Project Background
The background to this project is the growing interest in women's health issues and the need to realize a comprehensive well-being society. In Japan, health education and preconception care (encouraging both men and women to acquire correct knowledge about sex, pregnancy, and childbirth and to manage their health) do not meet international standards, and low health literacy is considered an issue. In addition, the increase in underweight women and the resulting increase in low birth weight babies are serious issues, making it urgent to improve the health of young women.
Defining and investigating wellness in the project
In this project, "wellness" was defined as a state of emotional and physical well-being related to health, and as a state of health that involves overall happiness including the body, mind, and community. Emotional well-being was measured in terms of "health satisfaction," or whether participants were satisfied with their health, and physical well-being was measured in terms of items such as "lifestyle habits," "lifestyle orientation," and "menstrual status."
The survey methods involved an online questionnaire survey targeting women in their 20s to 40s who are part of the Shibuya demographic, as well as physical visits and questionnaire surveys targeting women in their 20s to 40s who were visitors to the event.
Collaboration with the "Our Wellness Action" project
Future Design Shibuya, which is working to create a society in Shibuya where women can live as themselves, while facing their own health and bodies, connecting with others, and taking care of themselves, held a talk session at SOCIAL INNOVATION WEEK 2024, a program conceived together with Shibuya Ward and related organizations, on the theme of social issues and the future potential of cities. The archive is available.
<Beyond menstrual poverty: Towards a society where women's health and literacy are supported as a matter of course>
Sae Sugiura (Deputy Mayor of Shibuya Ward)
Yuko Endo (CEO of MASHING UP Association, Executive Officer of Mediagene Inc.)
Yuki Morita (Fundraising Promotion Director, JOICFP Public Interest Foundation)
Shinko Osada (SIW Executive Producer)
Archive https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rP9uWM3QHys
Focusing on various issues and current situations related to women's health and self-care literacy, including "menstrual poverty" that has been highlighted by the COVID-19 pandemic, we will openly discuss what can be achieved through co-creation among the diverse members who will gather in Shibuya. What should the local community, government, companies, and media do to expand the circle of understanding and support so that "women's health and literacy" is recognized as a value that exists as a matter of course, rather than just a part of society? We will consider each role concretely and explore together with the sensibility unique to "Shibuya" to create an inclusive environment where everyone can thrive with peace of mind.
＜From Shibuya! Our Femtech＞
Kaori Matsuzawa (Deputy Mayor of Shibuya Ward)
Amina Sugimoto (CEO of fermata Inc.)
Shinko Osada (SIW Executive Producer)
Archive https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gdcXM953w3M
What can governments, companies, and individuals, all of whom have seemingly different incentives, do to ensure a healthy future? Opinion leaders active both in Japan and overseas will discuss the future of Femtech from their own perspectives in Shibuya.
"Run your way. What women in Shibuya can do in sports"
Makoto Ozawa (PR & DIGITAL Manager, Marketing Department, New Balance Japan Co., Ltd.)
Nana Kaneshima (R-Beads Co., Ltd.)
Yuki Mihara (Talent/Head of the running community GO GIRL)
Hitomi Akaogi (Principal of Shibujo)
Naoyuki Akiba (CEO of Pickup Playground Association / Producer of Tani Mirai Design Association)
Archive https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LIFnbWfQVAg
People active in various roles, such as athletes, supporters, and cheerleaders, will take to the stage to discuss "What sports can do for women in Shibuya." While looking back on past activities in Shibuya, they will consider future actions to build a wellness sports and running community in Shibuya.
About our wellness actions
Aiming to create a society where women can live healthy lives in both body and mind, this is an initiative that works to solve women's health issues and improve wellness from Shibuya to the world. It was launched in March 2022 as "Women's Wellness Action from Shibuya", and in April 2024 the project name was changed with the aim of "working together to improve women's wellness in a more borderless way, transcending the barriers of gender, age, culture, etc." The project expands the community by holding awareness-raising activities and events centered around Shibuya in collaboration with individuals and companies that support the project, and disseminates messages through collaboration with Future Design Shibuya projects and related events. https://womens-wellness-action.com/
