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Higher educational attainment is associated with better cardiometabolic markers and health behaviors in a large Japanese population.

In a cross-sectional study of 61,684 Japanese adults, higher education levels were generally associated with better cardiometabolic markers (e.g., lower waist circumference, BMI, blood pressure) and healthier behaviors (e.g., less smoking, more exercise), though also linked with higher LDL cholesterol. Associations were stronger in women and middle-aged participants (39-64 years).

Last updated: Jul 9, 2026•0 RCTs•📖 Read as article →

Evidence Score

Evidence Score34/100
Human RCT☆☆☆☆☆
Meta-analysis☆☆☆☆☆
Mechanism★★★★★
Safety★★★★☆
Confidencelow

Study Evidence

Study 1. Associations of educational attainment with cardiometabolic markers and health behaviors: Evidence from the LIFE Study.

observational

Akeno Y, Goto K, Sung Y, Oda F, Maeda M, Fukuda H · Journal of epidemiology (2026)

Participants: N/A
Duration: Cross-sectional (data from April 2020 to March 2021)
Intervention: Educational attainment (low, middle, high based on school level)
Outcome: Cardiometabolic markers (waist circumference, BMI, systolic/diastolic blood pressure, HbA1c, triglycerides, HDL cholesterol, LDL cholesterol) and health behaviors (smoking, drinking, restful sleep, regular exercise)
Effect Size: N/A (no specific effect size reported in abstract)
Population: 61,684 Japanese adults aged 39-75 years from 16 municipalities

Result:

PubMed: 42402389DOI: 10.2188/jea.JE20250683

Mechanism Graph

Higher education may increase health literacy and access to health information
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Better education often correlates with higher income and healthcare access
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Education may promote healthier lifestyle choices (e.g., exercise, reduced smoking)
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Result: Improved cardiometabolic markers and health behaviors

Limitations

  • ⚠Cross-sectional design prevents causal inference
  • ⚠Relies on self-reported or administrative data which may have misclassification
  • ⚠Limited generalizability beyond Japanese population

Frequently Asked Questions

What specific health markers improved with higher education?▼

Higher education was associated with better waist circumference, BMI, blood pressure, HbA1c, triglycerides, and HDL cholesterol, but also higher LDL cholesterol.

Did the association differ by age or sex?▼

Yes, the associations were more pronounced in women and in middle-aged adults (39-64 years) compared to older adults (65-75 years).

What health behaviors were linked to education level?▼

Higher education was associated with less smoking, healthier drinking habits, more restful sleep, and more regular exercise.

Is this study from Japan?▼

Yes, the study used data from Japanese public health insurance enrollees linked with national census data from 16 municipalities.

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References

  1. 1.Akeno Y, Goto K, Sung Y, Oda F, Maeda M, Fukuda H. "Associations of educational attainment with cardiometabolic markers and health behaviors: Evidence from the LIFE Study.." Journal of epidemiology, 2026. PMID: 42402389 DOI: 10.2188/jea.JE20250683
Disclaimer: This content is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice. Evidence scores reflect the quality and quantity of available research, not clinical recommendations. Always consult a healthcare professional before starting any supplement or intervention.