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Aim To examine whether mild early time-restricted eating (eating dinner at 18:00 vs. at 21:00) improves 24-h blood glucose levels and postprandial lipid metabolism in healthy adults. Methods Twelve participants (2 males and 10 females) were included in the study. In this 3-day (until the morning of day 3) randomized crossover study, two different conditions were tested: eating a late dinner (at 21:00) or an early dinner (at 18:00). During the experimental period, blood glucose levels were evaluated by each participant wearing a continuous blood glucose measuring device. Metabolic measurements were performed using the indirect calorimetry method on the morning of day 3. The study was conducted over three days, day 1 was excluded from the analysis to adjust for the effects of the previous day’s meal, and only data from the mornings of days 2 and 3 were used for the analysis. Results Significant differences were observed in mean 24-h blood glucose levels on day 2 between the two groups (p = 0.034). There was a significant decrease in the postprandial respiratory quotient 30 min and 60 min after breakfast on day 3 in the early dinner group compared with the late dinner group (p &lt, 0.05). Conclusion Despite a difference of only 3 h, eating dinner early (at 18:00) has a positive effect on blood glucose level fluctuation and substrate oxidation compared with eating dinner late (at 21:00).

Breakfast skipping has become an increasing trend in the modern lifestyle and may play a role in obesity and type 2 diabetes. In our previous studies in healthy young individuals, a single incident of breakfast skipping increased the overall 24-h blood glucose and elevated the postprandial glycaemic response after lunch; however, it was difficult to determine whether this response was due to breakfast omission or the extra energy (i.e. lunch plus breakfast contents). The present study aimed to assess the postprandial glycaemic response and to measure their hormone levels when healthy young individuals had identical lunch and dinner, and the 24-h average blood glucose as a secondary outcome. Nine healthy young men (19−24 years) participated in two-meal trials: with breakfast (three-meal condition) or without breakfast (breakfast skipping condition). During the meals, each individual’s blood glucose was continuously monitored. Skipping breakfast resulted in a significantly higher (P < 0·001) glycaemic response after lunch as compared with the glycaemic response after an identical lunch when breakfast was consumed. Despite the difference in the total energy intake, the 24-h average blood glucose was similar between the two-meal conditions (P = 0·179). Plasma NEFA level was significantly higher (P < 0·05) after lunch when breakfast was omitted, and NEFA level positively correlated with the postprandial glycaemic response (r 0·631, P < 0·01). In conclusion, a single incident of breakfast skipping increases postprandial hyperglycaemia, and associated impaired insulin response, after lunch. The present study showed that skipping breakfast influences glucose regulation even in healthy young individuals.

The current study examined how body weight and lifestyle fluctuate between spring, autumn, and winter in Japanese female college students and whether weight gain is associated with changes in physical activity, food intake, and sleep. We measured body weight and lifestyle factors in 31 participants from May 2017 to January 2018. Weight was measured daily in participants&rsquo, homes. Physical activity and sleep were measured for three weeks in three seasons using two accelerometers. Food intake was assessed using a validated food frequency questionnaire. Body weight significantly decreased in autumn compared with spring (p &lt, 0.001). Body weight in winter tended to increase compared with autumn (p = 0.052). Step counts and energy intake were significantly different between seasons (p &lt, 0.05). Total time in bed was not significantly different between seasons. In comparisons of changes in lifestyle patterns from autumn to winter between the weight gain (&ge, 0.5 kg) and weight maintenance groups, seasonal changes in lifestyle factors were not significantly different between groups (p &gt, 0.05). The results indicated that body weight and lifestyle were affected by seasonal variability in female college students, but no significant relationships existed between seasonal weight gain and changes in lifestyle patterns.

Breaking up sedentary periods, particularly with light activity, increases total energy expenditure (EE), and helps provide better glycemic control. However, the effects of activities of various intensities to interrupt prolonged sedentary time are unclear. The purpose of the present study was to examine potential differences in glycemic control and EE from breaking up sedentary time with short exercise bouts of different intensities.Nine overweight/obesity young men underwent whole body indirect calorimetry at 19:00 on day 1 and stayed overnight. After awakening on day 2, they performed short duration jogging every 30 min over 8 h (16-time bouts in total) under 3 different conditions with the same running distance: (1) lactate threshold (LT) for 2 min, (2) 60% LT for 200 s, and (3) onset of blood lactate accumulation (OBLA) for 75 s. The 24-h EE and interstitial glucose concentration (from 8:00 to 19:00 on day 2) was continuously measured throughout the trials. The standard deviation during intervention and indexes of postprandial of the interstitial glucose concentration was significantly lower at LT and OBLA than at 60% LT (p 0.05). The 24-h EE was not significantly different among conditions, but EE at OBLA during intervention was slightly but significantly higher than at 60% LT and LT.Breaking up sedentary time with short-duration jogging at LT and with OBLA intensities may have better glycemic control and increased use of carbohydrate as a fuel, while short-duration a jogging at OBLA intensity may increase EE.UMIN000041361.

This study aimed to examine the effect of acute sleep curtailment on sweet taste preference, appetite and food intake, and the correlation between food intake and sweet taste preference or active ghrelin using a randomized crossover design (5 h sleep curtailment vs. 8 h control). Twenty-four participants (11 men) aged 21.4 &plusmn, 1.0 years, with BMI 19.8 &plusmn, 1.7 kg/m2, who habitually slept 5 h/night or more experienced interventions lasting three consecutive nights. Participants came into the laboratory for testing on day 4. Fasting blood tests were conducted at 8:00 a.m. to measure active ghrelin and leptin levels. Sweet taste preference was assessed by presenting five different concentration sucrose solutions at 9:00 a.m. Ad libitum intake at breakfast was assessed for 30 min from 9:30 a.m. Sweet taste preference was higher following sleep curtailment than control. Active ghrelin was likewise higher following sleep curtailment than control. Leptin did not differ between conditions. Energy intake was higher following sleep curtailment than control, being derived primarily from carbohydrates. However, sweet taste preference and active ghrelin did not correlate with energy intake. These results suggest that acute consecutive sleep curtailment increases sweet taste preference, active ghrelin, and energy intake in healthy young adults.

Background Meals, particularly carbohydrate intake, determine diurnal blood glucose (BG) excursions. However, the effect of meals with variable carbohydrate content on diurnal BG excursions remains poorly understood, despite routine consumption of meals that vary daily. Objective The aim of this study was to verify our hypothesis that glycemic response is elevated when a meal with a higher carbohydrate content follows a meal with a lower carbohydrate content. Design This was a secondary analysis of a study whose primary endpoint was energy metabolism (e.g., energy expenditure and substrate oxidation). This crossover study was designed to test BG responses to 3 types of meals with different macronutrient contents [regular meals (R), meals with a high-carbohydrate breakfast (CB), and meals with a high-fat breakfast (FB)] using a continuous glucose monitoring system. The R test included 3 meals/d with the same macronutrient composition; the CB test, a high-carbohydrate meal at breakfast, a high-fat meal at lunch, and a high-carbohydrate meal at dinner; and the FB test, a high-fat meal at breakfast, a high-carbohydrate meal at lunch, and a high-carbohydrate meal at dinner. Each test had similar daily macronutrient compositions, except CB and FB had larger variations in carbohydrate content than R. Fourteen healthy young men were tested in random order and underwent whole-body indirect calorimetry. Results Daily peak BG concentrations were higher for the CB (mean ± SD: 143.9 ± 25.3 mg/dL) and FB (140.2 ± 24.8 mg/dL) conditions than for the R condition (127.5 ± 15.7 mg/dL). Postprandial BG peaks after a high-carbohydrate meal were ∼20 mg/dL higher when a previous meal was relatively high-fat than when not high-fat (P < 0.05 for all). A multiple regression analysis indicated that the postprandial glycemic response was negatively associated with the preprandial respiratory quotient. Conclusions Our findings indicate that switching from high-fat to high-carbohydrate meals contributes to larger postprandial BG excursions, along with alterations in prioritization of carbohydrate utilization. This study was registered at the UMIN Clinical Trials Registry as UMIN000028895.

Many epidemiological studies indicate a positive relationship between skipping breakfast (SB) and obesity. However, it is unclear whether SB affects energy intake and physical activity during the day. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the acute effects of SB on energy intake and physical activity under free-living conditions. The present study used a randomized, crossover trial design comparing eating breakfast (EB) and SB days. Twenty lean, healthy women 21-25years old who were habitual breakfast eaters (≥5daysperweek) took part in this study. On EB days, participants were provided a standard breakfast (542kcal). The meals and physical activity after breakfast were under free-living conditions. The meals consisted of foods available at supermarkets, restaurants, and convenience stores. Dietary intake was evaluated by adding values from food labels. Physical activity was assessed using a tri-axial accelerometer. Energy intake at lunch was significantly increased after SB compared with EB (+131±188kcal; p=0.0057). Total energy intake per day was significantly lower after SB compared with EB (-262±428kcal, p=0.013). Physical activity energy expenditure was slightly lower after SB compared with EB (-41±75kcal in the morning, p=0.024; -56±129kcalperday, p=0.064). Step counts and time spent physically active over the whole day were not significantly different between conditions. Skipping breakfast reduced energy intake during the day and morning physical activity in healthy women who were habitual breakfast eaters. The decreased energy expenditure related to physical activity after SB did not exceed the decreased energy intake.

Body composition changes with age, with fat mass (FM) increasing and fat-free mass (FFM) decreasing. Higher physical activity and high or adequate protein intake are thought to be beneficial in preventing the loss of skeletal muscle mass in the elderly. We aimed to investigate the relationships between physical activity, protein intake, and FFM in older people with mild disability. Total energy expenditure (TEE) under free-living conditions was assessed using the doubly-labelled water (DLW) method, and physical activity was measured using a triaxial accelerometer. Dietary intake was assessed using a self-recorded food intake diary during the DLW period. Percent FFM was significantly positively correlated with protein intake and physical activity level (PAL) after adjustment for age and sex (protein intake r = 0.652, p < 0.001, PAL r = 0.345, p = 0.011). In multiple linear regression analysis, when PAL, moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA), or protein intake were included, 31%, 32%, and 55%, respectively, of the variation in %FFM was explained. Moreover, the addition of both PAL/MVPA and protein intake explained 61%/60%, respectively, of the variation in %FFM. Either protein intake above the currently recommended level or higher levels of physical activity would be beneficial for the maintenance of high %FFM.

Background: In Japan, the incidence of kidney stones has increased markedly in recent decades. Major causes of kidney stones remain unclear, and limited data are available on the relationship between overweight/obesity and the incidence of kidney stones. We therefore evaluated body mass index (BMI) and the incidence of kidney stones in Japanese men. Methods: Of the workers at a gas company, 5984 males aged 20–40 years underwent a medical examination in 1985 (baseline). This study includes 4074 of the men, who were free of kidney stones at baseline and underwent a second medical examination performed between April 2004 and March 2005. BMI was calculated from measured height and weight in 1985, and men were categorized into tertiles. The development of kidney stones during follow-up was based on self-reports from questionnaires at the second medical examination. Results: The average duration of follow-up was 19 years, with 258 participants developing kidney stones during this period. Using the lowest BMI (1st tertile) group as a reference, the hazard ratios (95% confidence intervals [CIs]) for the 2nd and 3rd BMI tertiles were: 1.26 (95% CI, 0.92–1.73) and 1.44 (95% CI, 1.06–1.96), respectively (P for trend = 0.019). After additionally adjusting for potential confounders, such as age, systolic blood pressure, cardiorespiratory fitness, cigarette smoking, and alcohol consumption, the hazard ratios were 1.28 (95% CI, 0.93–1.76) and 1.41 (95% CI, 1.02–1.97), respectively (P for trend = 0.041). Conclusions: These results suggest that increased BMI is a risk factor for kidney stones in Japanese men.

Yuya Watanabe,1–3 Masahiro Ikenaga,4 Eiichi Yoshimura,5 Yosuke Yamada,2,6 Misaka Kimura2,3 1Faculty of Health and Sports Science, Doshisha University, Kyotanabe, Japan; 2Laboratory of Applied Health Sciences, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Kyoto, Japan; 3Department of Health and Sports, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, Kyoto Gakuen University, Kameoka, Japan; 4Central Research Institute for Physical Activity, Fukuoka University, Fukuoka, Japan; 5Department of Food and Health Sciences, Prefectural University of Kumamoto, Kumamoto, Japan; 6Laboratory of Healthy Longevity Research, National Institute of Health and Nutrition, National Institutes of Biomedical Innovation, Health and Nutrition, Tokyo, Japan Background: Skeletal muscle experiences both quantitative and qualitative changes with aging. Echo intensity (EI) of the skeletal muscle obtained by ultrasonography (US) has been considered to reflect muscle quality. This technique is noninvasive, easily accessible, and is relatively inexpensive than that of other imaging techniques such as computed tomography (CT). Previous studies have reported that EI is related to several physical performances. However, few studies have investigated the validity of EI against other imaging methods in case of imaging of the skeletal muscle. We compared quantitative and qualitative indices evaluated by the US and CT imaging systems to strengthen their validity.Participants and methods: A total of 40 adults participated in this study: 19 young (10 men and 9 women; their mean (±SD) age was 22.7±1.5 years) and 21 older adults (13 men and 8 women; their mean age was 70.6±4.8 years). Both thighs of each participant were evaluated using US and CT imaging systems.Results: With respect to the US indices, the young group had significantly higher muscle thickness (MT) of the front thigh (P

Background Boxers need to consider energy metabolism during rapid weight loss (RWL) followed by rapid weight regain. We examined the effects of RWL and a 3-h acute weight recovery on energy expenditure, carbohydrate oxidation, and fat oxidation in boxing athletes. Methods The analysis was based on the data of seven healthy young male athletes who underwent rapid weight loss followed by acute weight recovery. Energy expenditure was evaluated at three time points: one week prior to the acute weight loss (baseline); after the 1-week weight loss period; after a 3-h acute weight recovery period. This three-component model was used to estimate body composition. Sleeping metabolic rate and diet-induced thermogenesis (DIT) were measured in an indirect calorimetry room over a 17-h period. After an overnight fast, a prescribed meal was provided and the DIT was measured over a 3-h period. This was followed by a three-step treadmill running protocol. Results Weight loss produced a significant decrease in fat mass, fat free mass, and body mass, with recovery of body mass within 3 h (1.7±0.3 kg). Postprandial carbohydrate oxidation was significantly lower during the recovery period than at baseline, while fat oxidation was higher, although there was no change in the DIT. Conclusions RWL, followed by a short-term of acute weight recovery, produces an increase in fat oxidation and a decrease in carbohydrate oxidation, with the increase in fat oxidation being maintained through an overnight sleep period, as well as in the postprandial and exercise periods.

Background Dietary protein intake is inversely associated with physical frailty risk. However, it is unknown whether an association exists between dietary protein intake and comprehensive frailty. Objective To evaluate the association between protein intake and comprehensive frailty in older Japanese adults. Design, setting and participants This cross-sectional study included 5638 Japanese participants (2707 men and 2931 women) aged ≥65 years from Kameoka City, Kyoto, Japan. Measurements Dietary intake was estimated using a validated self-administered food frequency questionnaire. Comprehensive frailty was assessed using a 25-item Kihon Checklist (KCL), which comprised instrumental activities of daily living, mobility disability, malnutrition, oral or eating function, socialization and housebound, cognitive function, and depression domains. A KCL score of 4 to 6 was defined as prefrailty, and ≥7 as frailty. Results In women, but not in men, protein intake showed a lower prevalence for prefrailty (Q1-Q4, 40.2%, 34.3%, 34.3%, and 36.0%). Higher protein intake was associated with lower prevalence of frailty both in men (32.5%, 28.4%, 28.3%, and 27.3%) and women (35.7%, 31.4%, 27.6%, and 28.2%). Moreover, higher dietary protein intake decreased the odds ratio (OR) for frailty after adjustment for potential confounding factors in both men (OR for highest vs lowest quartile, 0.62; 95% CI, 0.43-0.89; P for trend = 0.016) and women (OR 0.64; 95% CI, 0.45-0.91; P for trend = 0.017). Conclusions/implications The higher dietary protein intake may be inversely associated with the prevalence of comprehensive frailty in Japanese men and women. Future studies are needed to examine associations of dietary protein intake within KCL domains.

It is well known that imbalances in the dietary electrolytes are associated with a significantly higher incidence of cardiovascular disease (CVD). On the other hand, a prolonged heart rate corrected-QT (QTc) interval is associated with an increased risk of cardiac autonomic nervous system dysfunction, the incidence of CVD and sudden cardiac death. This study was designed to clarify the association between the nutritional status and the QTc interval in elderly subjects. The subjects included 119 elderly subjects (46 males and 73 females, age; 72.9±4.8 y) without a history of CVD, who were taking cardioactive drugs. Resting 12-lead electrocardiography was performed, while the QTc interval was calculated according to Bazett's formula. The nutritional status was assessed using a brief self-administered diet history questionnaire. The subjects were divided into three categories, which were defined as equally trisected distributions of the body mass index (BMI). The QTc interval was significantly longer in both the low and high BMI groups than in the moderate BMI group in both genders (p

We aimed to investigate whether frequencies of protein-rich food intake were associated with frailty among older Japanese adults. A cross-sectional study was conducted in 2011 among 3843 men and 4331 women in a population-based cohort of Kameoka city, Kyoto Prefecture, Japan. Frailty was assessed by the weighted score based on the 25-item Kihon-Checklist. The frequency of protein-rich food intake was examined as “seafood”, “meat”, “dairy products”, “eggs”, and “soy products”. The outcome of frailty was analyzed with a multiple logistic regression model using the frequency of protein-rich food intake. When compared to the first quartile, it was observed that there was a significant association between the lower adjusted prevalence ratio (PR) for frailty and the frequency of seafood intake in the fourth quartile among men (PR 0.64, 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.42, 0.99) and from the second quartile to the third quartile among women (PR 0.61, 95% CI, 0.43, 0.85; PR 0.64, 95% CI, 0.46, 0.91). The frequency of dairy products intake in the third quartile among women was significantly associated with a lower PR for frailty (p-value = 0.013). Our findings suggest that the consumption of seafood and dairy products may help older adults in maintaining their independence.

Our objective was to clarify the effect of sleep curtailment on energy intake (EI) and physical activity under free-living conditions. Participants were 16 healthy women aged 21-22years. A randomized crossover trial design was used to compare a short sleep condition (SS): 4h/night (2:00-6:00) and a control sleep condition (CS): 7h/night (23:00-6:00). Each condition comprised 3 consecutive nights. Sleep duration was assessed using a wristwatch-type accelerometer at home. All living activities except sleeping were free-living. Physical activity was assessed using a tri-axial accelerometer, and was categorized by intensity level (sedentary; sedentary to light; moderate to vigorous). Participants were asked to purchase and consume meals with visible nutrient information. EI was evaluated by adding values from these food labels. Mean sleep duration in the two conditions was significantly different (4.3±0.3 vs. 7.1±0.4h, p0.01). For the shared wakefulness period in the two conditions (6:00-23:00), step counts and physical activity were not significantly different. Sedentary time (878±61 vs. 727±40min, p0.01), and sedentary to light-intensity activity time (1122±18 vs. 932±63min, p0.01) were significantly increased in SS (waking time, 06:00-02:00) compared with CS (waking time, 06:00-23:00). However, these significant effects were clearly attenuated after adjustment for awake time (p0.05). Total EI was not significantly different between conditions (8.64±0.82 vs. 8.46±1.28MJ, p0.05), nor were leptin levels (p0.05), but insulin and cortisol levels after SS were significantly higher than after CS (p0.05). In this study, physical activity was increased in the SS condition and attributed to differences in awake time between conditions. However, there were no differences in EI. Further studies to investigate the effect of sleep curtailment on weight gain through stress and insulin resistance are necessary.

Objective The Kyoto-Kameoka Study was launched in 2011–2012 to identify the associations among food intake, nutritional status, physical activity, oral function, quality of life or social capital, the use of long-term care insurance (LTCI) system, and healthy lifespan in community-dwelling older people as a part of the World Health Organization Safe Community program. Design A prospective cohort study, reporting baseline demographics (cross-sectional data). Setting and participants We conducted 2 mailed self-administered questionnaire surveys; one is a complete population survey with a comprehensive survey of needs in the sphere of daily life (NSDL) that included 2 different frailty indexes, the Kihon Checklist (KCL) and the Fried phenotype, socioeconomic status, general and psychological health, and social relationships; followed by the more detailed Health and Nutrition Survey. A slightly modified NSDL survey was conducted again in 2013. Survival time, LTCI certification, and medical and long-term care costs after the baseline survey will be followed. Results Of 18,231 NSDL questionnaires distributed, 13,294 people responded (response rate: 72.92%; mean age 73.7 ± 6.4 and 75.1 ± 7.2 years for men and women, respectively; 12,054 people without and 1240 with LTCI certification). In people without LTCI, the proportion of robust, prefrail, and frail were 30.3%, 59.8%, and 9.9% in men and 25.3%, 64.7%, and 10.0% in women, according to the Fried index. The proportion of frail people as defined by KCL ≥7 was 30.8% in men and 33.3% in women. Conclusions The study is the first to document frailty prevalence using both Fried and KCL measures with a complete city population survey among older Japanese in the community as a part of World Health Organization Safe Community program. The study is expected to provide valuable evidence of the effects of lifestyle habits on long-term care prevention and healthy life span.

Objective: To evaluate the effects of energy restriction with or without aerobic exercise on thigh muscle mass and quality in adults with visceral adiposity. Methods: 75 males and females were randomly assigned to the groups ‘diet only' (DO; n = 42) or ‘diet plus aerobic exercise' (D/Ex; n = 33) for 12 weeks. The target energy intake in both groups was 25 kcal/kg of ideal body weight. Subjects in the D/Ex group were instructed to exercise for ≥300 min/week at lactate threshold. Computed tomography was used to measure thigh muscle cross-sectional area (CSA), normal-density muscle area (NDMA), and visceral fat area. Results: Total body weight (DO: -6.6 ± 3.6%; D/Ex: -7.3 ± 4.6%) and visceral fat (DO: -16.0 ± 13.8%; D/Ex: -23.1 ± 14.7%) decreased significantly in both groups; however, the changes were not significantly different between the two groups. The decrease in muscle CSA was significantly greater in the DO group (-5.1 ± 4.5%) compared with the D/Ex group (-2.5 ± 5.0%). NDMA decreased significantly in the DO (-4.9 ± 4.9%) but not in the D/Ex group (-1.4 ± 5.0%). Conclusion: Aerobic exercise attenuated the loss of skeletal muscle during energy restriction in adults with visceral adiposity.

Salt reduction is one of the most important lifestyle modifications for the prevention of hypertension. The health promotion law regulates the labeling of the nutrient content of food in Japan and, the level of sodium, not salt (sodium chloride), has to be printed on the labels of manufactured foods. In order to control their salt intake, consumers need to apply a conversion factor to the sodium levels listed on the labels to obtain the salt equivalent. However, it is not known whether people have the knowledge appropriate for making the conversion. We carried out a questionnaire survey at the 7th National Shokuiku (food education) Conference in 2012, asking subjects to determine the salt equivalent of 1000 mg of sodium on food labels. We also asked about the target values of salt reduction in grams in the Dietary Reference Intakes for Japanese 2010 (DRI2010) and the Guidelines for Management of Hypertension 2009 by the Japanese Society of Hypertension (JSH2009). We analyzed the data from 683 respondents (169 men and 514 women); only 13.3% of respondents gave a correct answer for the salt equivalent of 1000 mg of sodium (2.50-2.60 g), whereas 61.8 and 40.4% of respondents chose the correct target values for salt reduction according to DRI2010 and JSH2009, respectively. In conclusion, few people could convert sodium content to salt, which suggested difficulty in using food labels to control their salt intake. Salt content in grams, not sodium content, should be labeled on food packages for effective salt reduction and prevention of hypertension.

Background During the year after the Great East Japan Earthquake on March 11, 2011, the health conditions and lifestyles of survivors were extensively surveyed. We examined the relationship between living conditions and dietary pattern among survivors. Methods A total of 10 466 survivors aged 18 years or older (25% of the population of that age in the area) participated in a survey of Iwate Prefecture. The average frequency of daily consumption of 8 food groups was determined by questionnaire. After excluding staple foods, which were consumed 3 times a day by 85% of participants, factor analysis was performed on 7 food groups among 9789 people (3795 men, 5994 women). Results Factor analysis identified 2 dietary patterns—prudent and meat. The prudent dietary pattern is characterized by high intakes of fish and shellfish, soybean products, vegetables, fruit, and dairy products and was more evident among older participants and women. The meat dietary pattern is characterized by high intakes of meat and eggs and was more evident among younger participants and men. Age-adjusted multiple logistic regression analyses showed that male and female current smokers and men and women living in difficult conditions were likely to have a lower prudent dietary pattern score; male current smokers and male daily alcohol drinkers were likely to have a higher meat dietary pattern score. Conclusions During the year after the earthquake, the prudent dietary pattern was associated with better living conditions among survivors, whereas the meat dietary pattern was not.

Background Physical inactivity is a health issue that often occurs after serious disaster. Social factors, which can be disrupted by disaster, are important determinants of physical activity levels in everyday living. This study was designed to confirm the association between social factors and physical activity among elderly survivors of the Great East Japan Earthquake. Methods From September 2011 to February 2012, 4316 males and females aged 65 or older participated in a health survey of Great East Japan Earthquake survivors. Multiple logistic regression analyses were performed with the dichotomous dependent variable of physical activity (high versus low) and working status, social network, and place of residence (one’s own home versus elsewhere) as independent variables. Results Participants who had been displaced from their homes were more likely to have low physical activity (odds ratio [OR], 95 % confidence interval [CI] for men: 1.37, 1.12 to 1.68; for women: 1.30, 1.09 to 1.55). Non-working status was significantly associated with low physical activity (men: 2.03, 1.65 to 2.49; women: 1.94, 1.60 to 2.34). Detriments to the social network were significantly associated with low physical activity (men: 1.71, 1.41 to 2.08; women: 1.79, 1.51 to 2.13). Conclusion Place of residence and social factors were associated with physical activity levels in elderly survivors of the Great East Japan Earthquake. The findings suggest a need for improvement of social factors to encourage increases in physical activity for elderly persons after disaster.

The relationship between minute-by-minute stepping rate under free-living and obesity remains unclear. The purpose of the present investigation was to compare the levels of physical activity (PA) based on the minute-by-minute stepping rate under free-living conditions between normal weight (NW) and overweight and obese (OV) individuals. A total 40 volunteers participated in the present investigation. These participants were divided into NW or OV according to the body mass index (25 kg m(-2) or 25 kg m(-2)). All participants wore a pedometer with a uni-axial accelerometer (Lifecorder-EX 4sec, Kenz, Japan) for 7 days continuously. The Lifecorder determined the number of steps and time spent in PA at100, 100-129, 130 steps min(-1) according to the minute-by-minute stepping rate. The OV group took a significantly fewer number of steps per day in comparison to that in the NW group (p0.05). The average daily stepping rate was significantly lower in the OV group in comparison to that in the NW group (p = 0.01). Furthermore, the OV group spent a significantly shorter time in PA at a 100 steps min(-1) of the stepping rate compared with that in the NW group (p0.05). These results indicate that obese individuals spent significantly shorter time in PA at 100 steps min(-1) of stepping rate in comparison to the NW individuals.

Background Obesity and overweight are increasing in prevalence in developed countries as a result of changing dietary habits and a lack of physical activity. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the changes in body composition during short-term overfeeding using the three-component model, which is composed of fat mass (FM), total body water (TBW), and fat-free dry solids (FFDS). Methods Ten healthy men completed 3 days of overfeeding during which they consumed 1,500 kcal/day more energy than consumed in their normal diets. Body composition was evaluated at three time points: the day before and after their normal diets and the day after the 3-day overfeeding diet. Results Before and after their normal diets, there were no significant differences in body weight and composition, but after 3 days of overfeeding, body weight, TBW, and FFDS increased 0.7, 0.7, and 0.2 kg, respectively (P

Aim: This study was designed to clarify the difference in the effects of aerobic exercise training and diet on the improvement in the blood lipid profiles in patients with dyslipidemia. Subjects and Methods: The study enrolled 86 patients with dyslipidemia [34 males and 52 females; age, 55 ± 10 years (33 to 71 years); low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), 150 ± 33 mg/dl (74 to 206 mg/dl); high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), 54 ± 12 mg/dl (35 to 87 mg/dl) and triglycerides, 165 ± 65 mg/dl (68 to 318 mg/dl)]. The subjects were randomly allocated to exercise training (n=42) or diet (n=44) group. These patients in the exercise training group were instructed to exercise for more than 300 min per week at the lactate threshold intensity. In the diet group, the target caloric intake was 25 kcal/kg of ideal body weight [height (m)2 × 22] according to the guideline of the Japan Society for the Study of Obesity. Results: After the 12-week intervention, the LDL-C, triglyceride level and body weight decreased in both the exercise training and diet groups (p

Weight-classified athletes need an energy intake plan to accomplish target weight reduction. They have to consider body composition and energy metabolism during rapid weight loss followed by rapid weight regain to achieve their energy intake plan. We investigated the effects of rapid weight loss, followed by weight regain, on body composition and energy expenditure. Ten weight-classified athletes were instructed to reduce their body weight by 5% in 7 days. Following the weight loss, they were asked to try to regain all of their lost weight with an ad libitum diet for 12 h. Food intake was recorded during the baseline, weight loss, and regain periods. Fat mass, total body water, and fat-free dry solids were estimated by underwater weighing and stable isotope dilution methods. A three-component model was calculated using Siri's equation. Basal and sleeping metabolic rates were measured by indirect calorimetry. Body composition and energy expenditure were measured before and after weight loss and after weight regain. Body weight, total body water, and fat-free dry solids were decreased after the weight loss period but recovered after weight regain (p0.05). Basal metabolic rate did not change throughout the study. Sleeping metabolic rate decreased significantly during weight loss but recovered after weight regain. Changes in total body water greatly affect body weight during rapid weight loss and regain. In addition, rapid weight loss and regain did not greatly affect the basal metabolic rate in weight-classified athletes.

Objective. To evaluate the effect of calorie restriction-induced weight loss with or without aerobic exercise on liver fat.Methods. Thirty-three adults with visceral adiposity were divided into calorie restriction (CR;n = 18) or CR and aerobic exercise (CR + Ex;n = 15) groups. Target energy intake was 25 kcal/kg of ideal body weight. The CR + Ex group had a targeted exercise time of 300 min/wk or more at lactate threshold intensity for 12 weeks.Results. Reductions in body weight (CR,-5.3 ± 0.8 kg; CR + Ex,-5.1 ± 0.7 kg), fat mass (CR,-4.9± 0.9kg; CR + Ex,-4.4 ± 0.6 kg), and visceral fat (CR,-24 ± 5 cm2; CR + Ex,-37 ± 5 cm2) were not statistically different between groups. Liver fat decreased significantly in both groups, with no difference between groups. Change in maximal oxygen uptake was significantly greater in the CR + Ex group than in the CR group (CR,-0.7 ± 0.7 mL/kg/min; CR + Ex,2.9 ± 1.0 mL/kg/min).Conclusion. Both CR and CR + Ex resulted in an improved reduction in liver fat; however, there was no additive effect of exercise training.

To study the effects of a 12-week continuous aerobic exercise program without energy restriction on intrahepatic fat, indices of liver function (aspartate aminotransferase [AST], alanine aminotransferase [ALT] and γ-glutamyl transpeptidase [γGTP]), plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) and insulin resistance (HOMA-IR).Subjects were divided into two groups based on the degree of intrahepatic fat accumulation at baseline (high liver fat [HLF]: n = 13; low liver fat [LLF]: n = 14). Participants were instructed to exercise for more than 300 min per week at the lactate threshold. Fat accumulation (intramuscular, intrahepatic, visceral and subcutaneous fat) was evaluated by computed tomography. Blood samples were taken to determine the levels of AST, ALT, PAI-1, glucose and insulin.Weight, body mass index, body fat, visceral fat and subcutaneous fat decreased significantly in both groups between baseline and post-intervention (P0.05), but were not significantly different between the two groups (P0.05). Intrahepatic fat, AST, ALT and PAI-1 improved significantly between baseline and post-intervention in the HLF group (P0.05; AST, P = 0.052), and improvements were significantly greater than those in the LLF group (P0.05). γGTP decreased significantly in the HLF group between baseline and post-intervention (P0.05), but was not significantly different between the two groups (P0.05). HOMA-IR did not significantly improve between baseline and post-intervention either within or between the two groups (P0.05).This study revealed that a 12-week continuous aerobic exercise program without energy restriction might improve intrahepatic fat, liver function and atherosclerosis-related factors.

Recent analytical methods such as real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and Western blotting have now enabled us to analyze the gene and protein expression from small amounts of tissue. A fine needle muscle biopsy is thus expected to obtain a minimally sufficient amount of skeletal muscle to make a successful analysis. As a result, we used this fine needle muscle biopsy technique to obtain muscle tissue specimens from the vastus lateral muscle in 40 participants. The amount of tissue obtained by the fine needle was 5.2 +/- 3.2 mg (mean +/- standard deviation). The total RNA extracted was 3.0 +/- 1.4 microg and the total protein extracted was 2203 +/- 1541 microg. Furthermore, the skeletal muscle tissue specimens obtained by the regular needle technique and blood sample were used as the control. Those specimens were used to measure the gene expression of beta-myosin heavy chain slow (beta-MHC slow) by real-time PCR and the protein expression of monocalboxylate transporter 1 (MCT-1) by Western blotting. Beta-MHC slow gene expression was detected in both samples obtained by a fine and a regular needle biopsy, but not in a blood sample. Furthermore, the MCT-1 protein was detected in samples obtained by a fine needle muscle biopsy. These results indicated that the fine needle muscle biopsy is therefore a useful technique to obtain skeletal muscle specimens at least to analyze the gene and protein expression.