Inverse association of seafood intake with becoming overweight among survivors of the Great East Japan Earthquake

Obesity is a major health issue after disaster. However, the types of food associated with obesity that increases in response to prolonged evacuation are unknown. Therefore, this study aimed to clarify the association between seafood intake following the Great East Japan Earthquake of 2011 and becoming overweight within 2 years after that baseline. We followed 4410 Japanese survivors aged ≥18 years (mean age 62.3 years) who were not overweight at baseline. In 2011, all participants completed a self-administered questionnaire regarding food intake and lifestyle and had a subsequent follow-up in 2013. Multiple logistic regression analysis was performed. During the 2-year follow-up, 296 participants became overweight. Frequency of fish and shellfish intake in men was significantly and inversely associated with becoming overweight after adjusting for confounding factors. The multivariable-adjusted odds ratios for becoming overweight in men was lower in the group with the highest intake of fish and shellfish (odds ratio 0.24; 95% confidence interval, 0.06–0.90) than in the group with the lowest intake in Model 1, and the trend was statistically significant in all models. This significant association was observed in temporary housing but not in non-temporary housing. We showed that consuming seafood may have an obesity-suppressing effect in men who suffered from disaster and lived in temporary housing. Seafood might be a key factor in reducing overweight/obesity not only after a disaster but also during a pandemic and in regions with low seafood intake.