Japanese public health policies on the prevention of atherosclerotic diseases have focused on controlling obesity. The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of abnormality in risk factors for atherosclerotic disease among young Japanese classified according to body mass index (BMI).

Data were obtained from 359 men (mean age 32 ± 5 years) and 1,108 women (mean age 33 ± 4 years) between 2005 and 2010. Abnormal levels of aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, and/or gamma-glutamyltranspeptidase were considered to indicate liver dysfunction, and abnormal levels of low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol, and/or triglycerides were considered to indicate dyslipidemia. The cutoff points for high blood pressure (HBP) and hyperglycemia were set as a reference in the high–normal range.

No significant difference was observed in both sexes in all items among each year. In men, HBP (12.9 %), liver dysfunction (33.9 %), dyslipidemia (29.9 %), and hyperglycemia (2.7 %) were observed in the normal BMI group (18.5 2). In women, these abnormalities were observed in both the normal BMI group and lean group.

Asymptomatic abnormalities, particularly liver dysfunction and dyslipidemia, were observed in a substantial percentage of subjects without obesity. Therefore, we recommend that the comprehensive public health policy should be directed at all individuals, including the non-obese group, for the early prevention/detection against atherosclerotic diseases.