Psychological effects of Helicobacter pylori-associated atrophic gastritis in patients under 50 years: A cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: While gastrointestinal function is known to be closely related to psychological status, the influence of Helicobacter pylori-associated atrophic gastritis is currently unknown. We aimed to determine whether atrophic gastritis status or H. pylori infection is associated with psychological distress or depressed mood. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We performed a cross-sectional, observational study involving 975 Japanese individuals (503 females; mean age, 44 ± 8 years) who underwent a health checkup. Psychological distress was defined as a Kessler-6 Scale score ≥13 and depressive mood as a Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale score ≥ 16. The odds ratios with 95% confidence intervals assessing the risk of psychological distress or depressive mood associated with H. pylori infection (H. pylori-specific immunoglobulin G levels >10 U/mL) and atrophic gastritis status (pepsinogen I levels < 70 µg/L and pepsinogen I/II ratio < 3) were calculated using multiple logistic analysis adjusting for several covariates. RESULTS: Individuals with atrophic gastritis had a significantly higher risk of experiencing psychological distress, with younger females (<50 years) displaying the highest risk for psychological distress and depressive mood regardless of H. pylori infection status. Among females aged <50 years, H. pylori-seropositive participants with atrophic gastritis (HP+AG+) showed the highest risk of psychological distress (OR, 16.4; 95% CI, 3.45-94.9) and depression (OR, 2.86; 95% CI, 1.31-6.05), using HP-AG- status as the reference. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings support the results of previous animal studies regarding the psychological response to gastritis in humans. Further studies are needed to elucidate whether H. pylori eradication provides psychological benefits.

Diagnostic model for preschool workers' unwillingness to continue working: Developed using machine-learning techniques.

The turnover of kindergarten teachers has drastically increased in the past 10 years. Reducing the turnover rates among preschool workers has become an important issue worldwide. Parents have avoided enrolling children in preschools due to insufficient care, which affects their ability to work. Therefore, this study developed a diagnostic model to understand preschool workers' unwillingness to continue working. A total of 1002 full-time preschool workers were divided into 2 groups. Predictors were drawn from general questionnaires, including those for mental health. We compared 3 algorithms: the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator, eXtreme Gradient Boosting, and logistic regression. Additionally, the SHapley Additive exPlanation was used to visualize the relationship between years of work experience and intention to continue working. The logistic regression model was adopted as the diagnostic model, and the predictors were "not living with children," "human relation problems with boss," "high risk of mental distress," and "work experience." The developed risk score and the optimal cutoff value were 14 points. By using the diagnostic model to determine workers' unwillingness to continue working, supervisors can intervene with workers who are experiencing difficulties at work and can help resolve their problems.

Preventive Effects of Group Cognitive Behavioral Therapy in First-Year University Students at Risk for Depression: A Non-Randomized Controlled Trial.

High scores on Harm Avoidance (HA) on Cloniger's Temperament and Character Inventory (TCI) have been identified as a risk factor for depression. Group cognitive-behavioral therapy (GCBT) has been found effective in preventing depression and improving depressive symptoms among university students. However, no randomized controlled trials of GCBT have been conducted with university students with high HA. Although we initiated a randomized controlled trial in this study, some participants submitted incomplete questionnaires at baseline interfering with assured randomization; therefore, we report this study as a non-randomized controlled trial. We evaluated whether a GCBT intervention would be effective at reducing HA and, thereby, preventing depression in university students with high HA. We performed final analysis of data on 59 participants in the intervention group and 60 in a control group. We used scores on the Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II) as the primary outcome measure and analysis of covariance to assess group differences on mean BDI-II change scores before the intervention and at six months and one year after the intervention. The intervention group had lower BDI-II scores than the control group at six months after the intervention. GCBT may have facilitated cognitive modification in individuals with high HA, or GCBT may have fostered mutual modeling by group participants. Thus, GCBT may contribute to reducing depressive symptoms in university students with high HA, and associated risk for developing depression.

Effect of baseline self-efficacy on physical activity and psychological stress after a one-week pedometer intervention.

Physical activity and psychological stress were hypothesized to improve more in participants with high self-efficacy than in those with low and medium self-efficacy after a one-week intervention. 39 female university students participated. The intervention had two steps: a lecture on self-monitoring and goal setting (160 min.) and a one-week pedometer intervention. Analyses were conducted on tertile groups according to self-efficacy at baseline. Pedometer step counts were higher in the high self-efficacy group than in the low self-efficacy group after intervention. Helplessness decreased time dependently after intervention only in the high-self-efficacy group. Because physical activity improved more in the high self-efficacy group after a one-week intervention, one hypothesis was supported.

Burnout among kindergarten teachers and associated factors.

Burnout among kindergarten teachers is a subject of great concern. Although burnout is reported to be significantly associated with turnover intention and work engagement, few studies have examined factors associated with burnout among these teachers. Therefore, in the present study, we performed a cross-sectional survey of burnout and associated factors among kindergarten teachers. We distributed 3363 questionnaires to all 205 authorized kindergartens and childcare institutions in Nagasaki Prefecture and received 1086 responses (response rate: 32.3%). The participants were limited to full-time female class teachers. After excluding survey forms with incomplete content, we ultimately examined valid responses from 442 participants. The survey examined burnout (Maslach Burnout Inventory, MBI), teacher stress (Nursery Teacher's Stress Scale, NTSS), coping behaviors (Brief Scales for Coping Profile, BSCP), and social support (Social Support Scale, SSS). A multiple regression analysis revealed that all 3 MBI subscales were positively associated with "understanding of how to handle children" on the NTSS and negatively associated with "superiors" on the SSS. "Emotional exhaustion" was significantly associated with "interpersonal relations at work" and "lack of time" on the NTSS, and "avoidance and suppression" on the BSCP. "Depersonalization" was significantly associated with age, "disconnect in working conditions" on the NTSS, and "proactive problem solving" and "venting emotions to others" on the BSCP. "Diminished professional accomplishment" was significantly associated with age, "lack of time" on the NTSS, and "proactive problem solving" and "change in perspective" on the BSCP. These results suggest that support from superiors that enables teachers to better understand children and handle them appropriately is necessary to prevent burnout.

High sensitivity of an ELISA kit for detection of the gamma-isoform of 14-3-3 proteins: usefulness in laboratory diagnosis of human prion disease.

BACKGROUND: The gamma-isoform of the 14-3-3 protein (14-3-3 gamma) is expressed in neurons, and could be a specific marker for neuronal damage. This protein has been reported as a detectable biomarker, especially in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD) patients by Western blotting (WB) or enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs). Western blotting for 14-3-3 gamma is not sensitive, and the reported data are conflicting among publications. An ELISA specific for 14-3-3 gamma is not available. METHODS: CJD patients (n=114 sporadic CJD patients, 7 genetic CJD, and 3 iatrogenic CJD) and 99 patients with other neurodegenerative diseases were examined in this study. The CSF samples obtained were analyzed by Western blotting for 14-3-3 gamma, and by ELISA for total tau protein. We evaluated the sensitivity and specificity of the newly developed sandwich ELISA for 14-3-3 gamma. RESULTS: The cut-off value of the 14-3-3 gamma ELISA was >1, 683 AU/ml; and sensitivity was 95.2%, with 72.7% specificity. This specificity was the same for the total tau protein ELISA. Seven CJD cases were negative by WB but positive using the 14-3-3 gamma ELISA, indicating that the ELISA is more sensitive. All 21 cases of early stage CJD could be diagnosed using a combination of the 14-3-3γ ELISA and diffusion weighted MR imaging (DWI-MRI). CONCLUSION: The 14-3-3 gamma ELISA was more sensitive than conventional WB, and was useful for laboratory diagnosis of CJD, similar to the ELISA for the tau protein. Using DWI-MRI and these ELISA tests on CSF, diagnosis of CJD will be possible even at early stages of the disease.

Prospective 10-year surveillance of human prion diseases in Japan.

We analysed the epidemiological data and clinical features of patients with prion diseases that had been registered by the Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease Surveillance Committee, Japan, over the past 10 years, since 1999. We obtained information on 1685 Japanese patients suspected as having prion diseases and judged that 1222 patients had prion diseases, consisting of definite (n=180, 14.7%) and probable (n=1029, 84.2%) cases, except for dura mater graft-associated Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease which also included possible cases (n=13, 1.1%). They were classified into 922 (75.5%) with sporadic Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease, 216 (17.7%) with genetic prion diseases, 81 (6.6%) with acquired prion diseases, including 80 cases of dura mater graft-associated Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease and one case of variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease, and three cases of unclassified Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (0.2%). The annual incidence rate of prion disease ranged from 0.65 in 1999 to 1.10 in 2006, with an average of 0.85, similar to European countries. Although methionine homozygosity at codon 129 polymorphism of the prion protein gene was reported to be very common (93%) in the general Japanese population, sporadic Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease in Japan was significantly associated with codon 129 homozygosity (97.5%), as reported in western countries. In sporadic Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease, MM1 type (Parchi's classification) is the most common, as in western countries. Among atypical sporadic Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease cases, the MM2 type appeared most common, probably related to the very high proportion of methionine allele in the Japanese population. As for iatrogenic Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease, only dura mater graft-associated Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease cases were reported in Japan and, combined with the data from previous surveillance systems, the total number of dura mater graft-associated Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease was 138, comprising the majority of worldwide dura mater graft-associated Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease patients. Regarding genetic prion diseases, the most common mutation of prion protein gene was V180I (41.2%), followed by P102L (18.1%), E200K (17.1%) and M232R (15.3%), and this distribution was quite different from that in Europe. In particular, V180I and M232R were quite rare mutations worldwide. Patients with V180I or M232R mutations rarely had a family history of prion diseases, indicating that a genetic test for sporadic cases is necessary to distinguish these from sporadic Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease. In conclusion, our prospective 10-year surveillance revealed a frequent occurrence of dura mater graft-associated Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease, and unique phenotypes of sporadic Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease and genetic prion diseases related to the characteristic distribution of prion protein gene mutations and polymorphisms in Japan, compared with those in western countries.

Personality traits and BMI trends over three years in Japanese university students.

In Europe and America, associations between personality traits and body-mass index (BMI) have been reported. However, in Japan, the association between personality traits and BMI (i.e., thinness and obesity) has not been well studied. In this study, we investigated the relationship between Temperament and Character Inventory (TCI) personality traits and changes in BMI status among Japanese students during their university attendance. We measured the height and weight of 5,340 students in a Japanese university during annual medical checkups and calculated their BMI. The students' personality traits were measured using the short Japanese version of the TCI at university admission. The participants were divided into seven groups based on how BMI changed from the first year to the fourth year at university. In men, compared to the group that maintained normal BMI status (N = 2,189) over time (i.e., the control group), the group that maintained thinness status (N = 226) were lower in Reward Dependence, and the group whose status improved from thinness to normal (N = 117) were higher in Harm Avoidance. In women, compared with the control group (N = 1,510), the group that maintained thinness status (N = 302) was lower in Novelty Seeking, and the group whose status worsened from normal to thinness (N = 127) was higher in Harm Avoidance. Weak associations were found between thinness and TCI personality traits among Japanese university students. Further elaboration of the relationship between obesity or thinness and personality traits may help to provide effective preventive interventions in these areas.

Factors associated with kindergarten teachers' willingness to continue working.

ABSTRACT: The turnover rate among kindergarten teachers in advanced countries is extremely high. As such, there is an urgent need to determine the reasons for this turnover and to identify ways to prevent it. The current study investigates the individual and environmental factors that impact kindergarten teachers' willingness to continue working.A total of 600 kindergarten teachers in Japan participated in this study. Participants responded to questionnaires regarding their willingness to continue working, mental health, work engagement, and the availability of social support. Multiple logistic regression analysis was used to analyze participants' data, with willingness to continue working for 5 or more years as the dependent variable. Additionally, Spearman rank correlation was used to examine the correlations between factors associated with willingness to continue working.Factors such as older age, living with a spouse, caring for younger children (up to 2 years old) at work, good mental health, and higher work engagement were significantly associated with teachers' higher willingness to continue working. Factors such as marriage, health and family problems, overtime work, issues with workplace childcare, and education policy, working time/day problems, human relations, and difficulties taking care of children were correlated with teachers' lack of willingness to continue working.The findings of this cross-sectional study suggest that welfare benefits and individual support systems could be key elements to encourage kindergarten teachers to continue working and could lead to their improved job satisfaction and mental health. Balanced work conditions and workers' high agreement with their workplace's overall childcare or educational policies may lead to lower turnover. Some programs - such as relationship counselling - could have a positive impact on teachers' mental health and job satisfaction.

Establishment of a standard 14-3-3 protein assay of cerebrospinal fluid as a diagnostic tool for Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease.

Periodic sharp wave complexes observed on an electroencephalographic recording and the presence of a 14-3-3 protein in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) are both included in the diagnostic criteria for the Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD) supplied by the World Health Organization; however, the presence or absence of the 14-3-3 protein in the CSF is sometimes difficult to discern on a western blot because of equivocal bands. The goal of this study was to establish a standard 14-3-3 protein assay and to determine the threshold level of a 14-3-3 protein that can be assayed by western blot. We searched for the most suitable isoform of the 14-3-3 protein to test for in protein assays, and the most sensitive antibody among four antibodies with an affinity for 14-3-3. We measured the levels of all 14-3-3 isoforms in 112 patients with CJD and in 100 patients with other diseases. We compared the performances of four different antibodies. We carried out a semi-quantitative analysis of γ-isoform levels using the LAS 3000 system, which was capable of producing a digital image from the luminescence on a western blot. We determined that the most suitable isoform of the 14-3-3 protein for conducting a standardized assay was the γ-isoform. Among the four commercially available antibodies for this protein, the most sensitive and specific was 18647 (IBL, Japan). We report the high repeatability of the detection of the 14-3-3 protein by this antibody to the γ-isoform, showing that western blot can be used for semi-quantitative analysis.

Development of an ultra-rapid diagnostic method based on heart-type fatty acid binding protein levels in the CSF of CJD patients.

Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD) is a transmissible, fatal, neurodegenerative disease in humans. Recently, various drugs have been reported to be useful in the treatment of CJD; however, for such treatments to be useful it is essential to rapidly and accurately diagnose CJD. 124 CJD patients and 87 with other diseases causing rapid progressive dementia were examined. Cerebral spinal fluid (CSF) from CJD patients was analyzed by 2D-PAGE and the protein expression pattern was compared with that from healthy subjects. One of three CJD-specific spots was found to be fatty acid binding protein (FABP), and heart-type FABP (H-FABP) was analyzed as a new biochemical marker for CJD. H-FABP ELISA results were compared between CJD patients and patients with other diseases (n = 211). Visual readout accuracy of the Rapicheck(®) H-FABP test panel for CSF was analyzed using an independent measure of CSF H-FABP concentration. The distribution of H-FABP in the brains of CJD patients was examined by immunohistochemistry. ELISA sensitivity and specificity were 90.3% and 92.9%, respectively, and Rapicheck(®) H-FABP sensitivity and specificity were 87.9% and 96.0%, respectively. ELISA and Rapicheck(®) H-FABP assays provided comparable results for 14-3-3 protein and total tau protein. Elevated H-FABP levels were associated with an accumulation of abnormal prion protein, astrocytic gliosis, and neuronal loss in the cerebral cortices of CJD patients. In conclusion, Rapicheck(®) H-FABP of CSF specimens enabled quick and frequent diagnosis of CJD. H-FABP represents a new biomarker for CJD distinct from 14-3-3 protein and total tau protein.

Sodium pentosan polysulfate resulted in cartilage improvement in knee osteoarthritis--an open clinical trial.

BACKGROUND: Pentosan polysulfate sodium (pentosan) is a semi-synthetic drug manufactured from beech-wood hemicellulose by sulfate esterification of the xylopyranose hydroxyl groups. From in vitro and animal model studies, pentosan has been proposed as a disease modifying osteoarthritis drug (DMOAD). The objective of this study was to assess the efficacy, safety, and patient satisfaction in patients with mild radiographic knee osteoarthritis (OA) findings and OA-associated symptoms and signs. METHODS: Twenty patients were assessed clinically at Nagasaki University Hospital. The radiographic indications of OA were grade 1 to 3 using the Kellgren-Lawrence Grading System (K/L grade). Pentosan used in this study was manufactured and supplied in sterile injectable vials (100 mg/ml) by bene GmbH, Munich, Germany. The study was a single-center, open-label trial. Treatment consisted of 6 weekly subcutaneous injections (sc) of pentosan (2 mg/kg). Patients were clinically assessed at entry and 1 to 8, 11, 15, 24 & 52 weeks post treatment. The results were analyzed using one way ANOVA and Dunnett's method. RESULTS: Hydrarthroses were reduced quickly in all cases. The clinical assessments, i.e., knee flexion, pain while walking, pain after climbing up and down stairs, etc, were improved significantly and these clinical improvements continued for almost one year. The dose used in this study affected the blood coagulation test, but was within safe levels. Slightly abnormal findings were noted in serum triglycerides. CONCLUSIONS: Pentosan treatment in twenty patients with mild knee OA seemed to provide improvements in clinical assessments and C2C level of cartilage metabolism.

Intra-abdominal fat accumulation is an important predictor of metabolic syndrome in young adults.

Metabolic syndrome (MetS), mainly caused by intra-abdominal fat (IAF) accumulation, is an important risk factor for cardiovascular disease. The prevalence of MetS increases rapidly after the age of 40 years, and it is presumed that there is a substantial proportion of MetS in younger age groups. However, the association of IAF with MetS in adults aged 20 to 30 years has not been fully investigated.This study aimed to determine the prevalence of MetS and to verify whether IAF accumulation is associated with other MetS-related metabolic disorders including dyslipidemia, high blood pressure, and high blood glucose among the Japanese population in their 20s.In this cross-sectional study, IAF area (IAFA) and MetS-related metabolic parameters were evaluated in university students in their 20s (n = 1822, 21.5 ±â€Š1.5 years). IAFA was measured using a non-invasive device, DUALSCAN, which can be readily measured through the dual impedance method. The participants were divided into four groups according to IAFA: 0-49.9, 50-74.9, 75-99.9, and ≥100 cm.MetS was prevalent in 3.3% and 0.0% of the males and females, respectively, according to the Japanese criteria of MetS. The sex- and lifestyle-adjusted odds ratios (ORs) for the three metabolic component levels of Mets were elevated in the larger IAFA groups compared to the smallest IAFA group, according to the level of IAFA. The levels particularly increased in participants with abdominal obesity, defined by both, IAFA and waist circumference rather than by waist circumference alone.IAF accumulation was significantly associated with MetS-related metabolic disorders in young adults. An evaluation of IAFA may contribute to the early prediction of the risk of developing MetS in the future.

Familial Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease with a V180I mutation: comparative analysis with pathological findings and diffusion-weighted images.

BACKGROUND: Diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) has been reported to be a useful technique for diagnosing Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD). The present study reported DWI results in cases of familial CJD with a V180I mutation (CJD180) in the prion protein gene as well as neurological findings. METHODS: A retrospective analysis of 3 patients with V180I was performed. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) analysis, brain MRI, single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT), and magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) were included. CSF was analyzed for biochemical markers, and each patient underwent brain MRI, SPECT, and MRS analysis. A brain biopsy from the frontal cortex, which corresponded to the area of increased DWI signals, was utilized for neuropathological analysis. RESULTS: CSF analysis results revealed elevated total tau protein and the absence of 14-3-3 protein, as well as decreased concentrations of neuron-specific enolase, S100 protein, and prostaglandin E(2). All patients presented with unique MRI features. Brain biopsy showed severe spongiform morphology, but comparatively preserved neurons and mild astrocytic gliosis. Accumulations of PrP(Sc) were not detected using the 3F4 antibody, and microglial activation was subtle. SPECT revealed hypoperfusion throughout both hemispheres. MRS revealed a reduced N-acetyl aspartate/creatine ratio. CONCLUSION: Results from this study suggested that increased DWI signals could reflect severe spongiform changes in CJD180 patients.

Factors associated with preschool workers' willingness to continue working.

In industrialized countries, the turnover rate of preschool workers is extremely high and now represents a social problem. Consequently, it has become important to promote stable early care and educational environments for this population. Several factors related to working environments are known to affect turnover intention; however, the specific factors related to turnover intention among preschool workers have not yet been identified. Considering this, the objective of the present study was to determine factors associated with preschool workers' willingness to continue working.The participants of this study were 1137 preschool workers based in Nagasaki Prefecture, Japan. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to analyze the participants' data, with willingness to continue working for 5 years or more set as the dependent variable.Analysis of the results for all subjects clearly showed that male sex, older age, good mental health, high number of social supports, and good work engagement have a positive effect on willingness to continue working. Further, stratifying the participants in terms of age revealed that for preschool workers under 39 years, male sex, good mental health, high number of social supports, and good work engagement act positively in regard to willingness to continue working. Meanwhile, for those over 40 years, it was found that permanent employment and good work engagement act positively in this regard. Thus, work engagement was the only common factor between preschool workers under 39 and over 40.The findings of this cross-sectional study demonstrate that the factors associated with willingness to continue working among preschool workers differ between younger and older professionals. These findings underline the importance of considering age categories when attempting to maximize such professionals' willingness to continue working.

Prevention of depression in first-year university students with high harm avoidance: Evaluation of the effects of group cognitive behavioral therapy at 1-year follow-up.

High harm avoidance (HA) scores on the temperament and character inventory appear to be a risk factor for depressive disorders and suicide. Since 2012, we have conducted group cognitive behavioral therapy (G-CBT) interventions for students at Nagasaki University with high HA and without depressive disorders, with the aim of preventing depression. Here, we report on the effects of the G-CBT at 1-year follow-up for the 2012 to 2015 period.Forty-two participants with high HA were included in the final analysis. Outcomes were measured with the Beck Depression Inventory II, Manifest Anxiety Scale, 28-item General Health Questionnaire, and Brief Core Schema Scales at baseline, and at 6-month, and 1-year follow-ups.Repeated-measures analyses of variance revealed a significant decrease in mean depressive symptom scores at the 6-month follow-up point; this decrease was maintained at 1 year. Improvements in cognitive schemas were also seen at 6 months and 1 year.We observed improvements in cognitive schemas associated with depression as a result of the G-CBT intervention, with effects maintained at 1 year post-intervention. This intervention may be effective in positively modifying the cognitions of students with HA and preventing future depression.

[Clinical typing and diagnosis of sporadic human prion diseases (classic sproadic CJD, MM2-cortical form CJD, MM2-thalamic form CJD)].

We described recent knowledge and outline about a diagnosis and clinical typing of sporadic prion disease. Diagnostic procedure and classification based on a pattern of Western blotting of PrP(Sc), neuropathologic findings, and clinical features. In addition, we described a clinical significance of total tau protein, significance of a diffusion-weighted images of MRI. Analysis of 112 cases of sporadic prion diseases showed 92.3% at positive rate. Sensitivity and specificity were 95.5% and 95.7%, respectively by total tau protein assay of 44 cases of prion diseases.

Item response theory-based validation of a short form of the Eating Behavior Scale for Japanese adults.

Obesity has become a serious social problem in industrialized countries in recent years. Clinically, although the evaluation of dietary behavior abnormalities is as important as any method of risk assessment for obesity, almost all the existing scales with many items may have numerous practical clinical difficulties. In this study, we aimed to prepare a short questionnaire to assess the dietary behavior abnormalities related to obesity. A total of 1032 individuals aged 20 to 59 years participated in the present study. Using item response theory (IRT), we selected the items for a short version from among 30 items of Sakata Eating Behavior Scale (EBS), which is widely used in Japan. As a result of the IRT-based analysis on the original 30-item version, 7 items were adopted as the short version. The correlation between the total score of the original EBS and the EBS short form was extremely high (r = 0.93, P = .001). In examining the criterion validity, for all participants (n = 1032), male (n = 516), and female (n = 516), the correlation coefficients between the total score of the EBS short form and body mass index (BMI) were r = 0.26, r = 0.28, and r = 0.28, respectively. The results of the receiver operating characteristic analysis was performed with obesity BMI > 25 kg/m as a dependent variable, the value of the area under the curve in the ROC was significantly higher in the 7-item version than in the total score of the original items (P = .0005). In conclusion, the 7-item EBS short form was created. Furthermore, it was found that the EBS short form is a reliable and valid measure that can be used as an indicator of obesity in both clinical and research settings.