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Evidence for social pathways to health benefits for dog owners appears positive but less well-developed. Our study aimed to estimate the differences in social capital by dog ownership and dog walking status among young-to-middle-aged adults and older adults in Japan. Data from 3606 residents living in Japan were used. Data on social capital, dog ownership, and dog walking were collected by questionnaires. Age-stratified multivariable linear regression models were used to estimate differences in social capital scores by dog ownership and dog walking status. Among young-to-middle-aged adults, the mean of the activities with neighbours score, adjusted for covariates, was significantly higher (p

Evidence suggests that neighbourhood street connectivity is positively associated with physical activity, yet few studies have estimated its associations with sedentary behaviour. We estimated the associations between space syntax derived street integration, a novel measure of street connectivity, and sedentary behaviours among Canadian adults. Data were sourced from a population-based study–Alberta’s Tomorrow Project (n = 14,758). Items from the International Physical Activity Questionnaire captured sedentary behaviour, including sitting and motor vehicle travel time and walking. Street integration was measured within a 1600m radius of participants’ homes. Covariate-adjusted linear regression models estimated the associations between street integration and sedentary behaviour. Street integration was significantly positively associated with daily minutes of sitting on week (b 6.44; 95CI 3.60, 9.29) and weekend (b 4.39; 95CI 1.81, 6.96) days, and for week and weekend days combined (b 5.86; 95CI 3.30, 8.41) and negatively associated with daily minutes of motor vehicle travel (b -3.72; 95CI -3.86, -1.55). These associations remained significant after further adjustment for daily walking participation and duration. More research is needed to understand the pathways by which street integration positively and or negatively affects sedentary behaviour.

Background and Objectives This study aimed to examine the associations between time spent in 6 different domains of sedentary behavior and happiness and whether social capital mediated such associations among adults and older adults living in a rural area of Japan. Research Design and Methods Cross-sectional data from 3,357 participants (mean age: 60 ± 16 years) were used. 6 domains of sedentary behavior, happiness, and social capital were assessed using a self-report questionnaire. Age-stratified multivariable linear regression models adjusted for covariates were used to examine the associations between 6 domains of sedentary behavior and happiness. For relationships where the direct effect was significant, we tested the mediating effects of 2 social capital measures. Results Among both adults and older adults, more time spent viewing television was significantly associated with lower happiness scores, and more time spent engaging in other leisure activities was significantly associated with higher happiness scores. In addition, more time spent using cell phones and computers was significantly associated with lower happiness scores among the adults. Engaging in activities with neighbors significantly mediated the relationship between other leisure activities and happiness in the adults and older adults, and between television viewing and happiness in the older adults. Discussion and Implications Our findings indicated that less television viewing and more mentally active sedentary behavior (e.g., talking with others and engaging in hobbies) were associated with greater happiness. One aspect of social capital, engaging in activities with neighbors, acts as a potential mediator for relationships between sedentary behavior and happiness.

An increasing number of studies have examined neighbourhood built environment attributes associated with cycling. Some of them suggest non-linear relationships between built environment attributes and cycling. This study examined the strength and shape of associations of cycling for transport with objectively measured built environment attributes. Data were from 9146 Australian adults who took part in the 2009 South-East Queensland Travel Survey. Participants (aged 18–64 years) completed a 24-hour travel survey, in which they reported modes of travel. Residential density, Walk Score and a Space Syntax measure of street integration were calculated at a neighbourhood level using geographic information systems. Multilevel logistic regression analyses examined associations of bicycle use with each built environment attribute, which was modelled continuously and categorically. All continuous measures of the built environment attributes were associated with bicycle use. Each one-decile increment in residential density, Walk Score, and street integration was associated with 13%, 16%, and 10% higher odds of bicycle use, respectively. However, the associations appeared to be non-linear, with significant odds ratios observed only for the higher categories of each built environment attribute relative to the middle category. This study found that adults living in high-density neighbourhoods with more destinations nearby and well-connected streets were more likely to cycle for transport. However, medium-level density, access to destinations and street connectivity may not be enough to facilitate bicycle use. Further studies are needed to investigate urban design threshold values above which cycling can be promoted.

Despite associations found between physical activity and depression, and the built environment and physical activity, there appears to be inconclusive evidence regarding the role of built environment attributes with preventing depression among the elderly. This is mainly because few studies exist on this topic. In addition, the majority of existing studies have been conducted in Western countries; and there is a dearth of studies in other regions, where the built, social, and cultural environment is different than Western countries. Using data from Japanese older adults, this study examined the associations between objectively-assessed built environment attributes and depressive symptoms. We examined these associations stratified by gender, since research has well-documented gender differences in depression. Data were from 328 older adults living in Japan. Built environment attributes were objectively calculated and Walk Score® ratings were obtained from the website. Depressive symptoms were assessed using the GDS-15. Gender-stratified regression models were used to estimate the associations. We found that a walkable environment characterized by a high population density and proximate local destinations to be supportive for a better mental health among older adults, in particular for women. These findings suggest that walkable built environment attributes may influence depression among older women in an Asian urban context. This study contributed to the literature by examining how walkable urban design may influence elderly's depression in a setting with extreme level of environmental attributes. Investing in urban design to promote walkability may help in reducing the observed gender gap in depression in the Japanese population.

Objectives:The aims of this study were to examine (a) associations of two metric and space syntax measures of street layout with the cognitive function of Japanese older adults and (b) the extent to which objectively assessed physical activity mediated such associations.Methods:Cross-sectional data from 277 older adults who lived in Japan were used. Street layout attributes were objectively calculated for each participant’s geocoded home location. The Mini-Mental State Examination was used to evaluate cognitive function. Physical activity was objectively assessed with accelerometers.Results:There was a statistically significant negative association between street integration and the odds of having cognitive impairment. Objectively assessed physical activity did not attenuate this relationship.Conclusions:Our findings provide unique evidence regarding the importance of the topological aspects of street layouts in (re)designing neighborhoods to support mental illness.

Evidence suggests a positive effect of dog ownership on physical activity. However, most previous studies used self-reported physical activity measures. Additionally, it is unknown whether owning a dog is associated with adults’ sedentary behaviour, an emerging health risk factor. In this study, physical activity and sedentary behaviour were objectively collected between 2013 and 2015 from 693 residents (aged 40–64 years) living in Japan using accelerometer devices. Multivariable linear regression models were used, adjusted for several covariates. The means of total sedentary time and the number of long (≥ 30 min) sedentary bouts were 26.29 min/day (95% CI − 47.85, − 4.72) and 0.41 times/day (95% CI − 0.72, − 0.10) lower for those who owned a dog compared to those not owning a dog, respectively. Compared with non-owners, dog-owners had significantly higher means of the number of sedentary breaks (95% CI 0.14, 1.22), and light-intensity physical activity (95% CI 1.31, 37.51). No significant differences in duration of long (≥ 30 min) sedentary bouts, moderate, vigorous, and moderate-to-vigorous-intensity physical activity were observed between dog-owners and non-owners. A novel finding of this study is that owning a dog was associated with several types of adults’ sedentary behaviours but not medium-to-high-intensity physical activities. These findings provide new insights for dog-based behavioural health interventions on the benefits of dog ownership for reducing sedentary behaviour.

Neighbourhood characteristics can impact the health of residents. This study investigated associations between objectively derived neighbourhood characteristics, including novel space syntax metrics, and self-reported body mass index (BMI) among Canadian men and women.Our study included survey data collected from a random cross-section of adults residing in Calgary, Alberta (n = 1718). The survey, conducted in 2007/2008, captured participants' socio-demographic characteristics, health, and weight status (BMI). Participants' household postal codes were geocoded and 1600-m line-based network buffers estimated. Using a geographical information system, we estimated neighbourhood characteristics within each buffer including business destination density, street intersection density, sidewalk length, and population density. Using space syntax, we estimated street integration and walkability (street integration plus population density) within each buffer. Using adjusted regression models, we estimated associations between neighbourhood characteristics and BMI (continuous) and BMI categories (healthy weight vs. overweight including obese). Gender-stratified analysis was also performed.Business destination density was negatively associated with BMI and the odds of being overweight. Among men, street intersection density and sidewalk length were negatively associated with BMI and street intersection density, business destination density, street integration, and space syntax walkability were negatively associated with odds of being overweight. Among women, business destination density was negatively associated with BMI.Urban planning policies that impact neighbourhood design have the potential to influence weight among adults living in urban Canadian settings. Some characteristics may have a differential association with weight among men and women and should be considered in urban planning and in neighbourhood-focussed public health interventions.RéSUMé: OBJECTIFS: Les caractéristiques du quartier peuvent avoir des incidences sur la santé des personnes qui y habitent. Notre étude porte sur les associations entre les caractéristiques du quartier objectivement dérivées, dont les nouvelles mesures de syntaxe spatiale, et l’indice de masse corporelle (IMC) autodéclaré chez les femmes et les hommes au Canada. MéTHODE: L’étude inclut des données d’enquête provenant d’un échantillon aléatoire d’adultes vivant à Calgary, en Alberta (n = 1 718). L’enquête, menée en 2007-2008, a saisi les caractéristiques sociodémographiques, l’état de santé et le statut pondéral (IMC) des participants. Nous avons géocodé le code postal du ménage de chaque participant et estimé les zones tampons d’un réseau de corridors linéaires de 1 600 mètres. À l’aide d’un système d’information géographique, nous avons estimé les caractéristiques du quartier dans chaque zone tampon, dont la densité de destinations d’affaires, la densité d’intersections de rues, la longueur des trottoirs et la densité de population. En faisant appel à la syntaxe spatiale, nous avons estimé l’intégration des rues et la marchabilité (intégration des rues plus densité de population) dans chaque zone tampon. À l’aide de modèles de régression ajustés, nous avons estimé les associations entre les caractéristiques du quartier et l’IMC (en continu) et les catégories d’IMC (poids-santé vs. surpoids, y compris l’obésité). Une analyse stratifiée selon le sexe a également été effectuée. RéSULTATS: La densité de destinations d’affaires était négativement associée à l’IMC et à la probabilité de surpoids. Chez les hommes, la densité d’intersections de rues et la longueur des trottoirs étaient négativement associées à l’IMC, et la densité d’intersections de rues, la densité de destinations d’affaires, l’intégration des rues et la syntaxe spatiale de marchabilité étaient négativement associées à la probabilité de surpoids. Chez les femmes, la densité de destinations d’affaires était négativement associée à l’IMC. CONCLUSION: Les politiques de planification urbaine qui touchent la conception des quartiers ont le potentiel d’influencer le poids des adultes en milieu urbain au Canada. Pour certaines caractéristiques, l’association avec le poids peut être différente entre les hommes et les femmes; il faudrait en tenir compte dans la planification urbaine et les interventions de santé publique au niveau des quartiers.

Purpose: The purposes of this study were to examine associations between objectively measured walkable urban design attributes with Japanese older adults’ body mass index (BMI) and to test whether objectively assessed physical activity and sedentary behavior mediated such associations. Design: Cross-sectional. Setting: Matsudo City, Chiba Prefecture, Japan. Participants: Participants were 297 older residents (aged 65-84 years) randomly selected from the registry of residential addresses. Measures: Walkable urban design attributes, including population density, availability of physical activity facilities, intersection density, and access to public transportation stations, were calculated using geographic information systems. Physical activity, sedentary behavior, and BMI were measured objectively. Analysis: The relationships of walkable urban design attributes, Walk Score®, and BMI were examined by multiple linear regression with adjustment for covariates in all models. Mediation effects of the physical activity and sedentary behavior variables in these relationships were tested using a product-of-coefficients test. Results: Higher population density and Walk Score® were associated with lower BMI. Light and moderate-to-vigorous physical activities partially mediated the relationships between these walkable urban design attributes and BMI. Conclusions: Developing active-friendly environmental policies to (re)design neighborhoods may not only promote active transport behaviors but also help in improving residents’ health status in non-Western contexts.

A rapidly growing body of literature has explored associations between urban design attributes, which are conducive to walking, and social capital. The current study aimed to build on the limitations of previous research. Specifically, this study estimated the associations between traditional and novel walkable built environment metrics and social capital among a sample of adults in Japan. Data (n = 1010) from a randomly selected cross-section of residents (40–69 years old) from two areas in Japan were included. Social capital was assessed by questionnaires. Several objective and perceived walkable built environment attributes were calculated. Covariate-adjusted multivariable linear regression models were used to estimate associations between neighborhood built attributes and the three social capital scores. Street connectivity was negatively associated with activities with neighbors (b = -0.21, 95% CI -0.31, -0.11). Perceived population density was negatively associated with all three social capital scores, including social cohesion, activities with neighbors, and social participation (b = -0.21, 95% CI -0.30, -0.11, b = -0.15, 95% CI -0.24, -0.06, and b = -0.16, 95% CI -0.29, -0.02, respectively). Traditional walkability and Walk Score® were negatively associated with activities with neighbors (b = -0.04, 95% CI -0.07, -0.00 and b = -0.09, 95% CI -0.15, -0.04, respectively). No significant associations were observed between perceived walkability and social capital scores. Space syntax walkability was negatively associated with social cohesion and activities with neighbors (b = -0.12, 95% CI -0.23, -0.01 and b = -0.11, 95% CI -0.21, -0.01, respectively). This study provided unique findings demonstrating that walkable built environments may not necessarily support social capital in ultrahigh-density Asian cities.

Highlights • Walk Score® was positively correlated with several perceived walkable environmental attributes. • There was a large correlation between Walk Score® and access to shops. • There was a medium correlation between Walk Score® and overall perceived walkability., Walk Score® is a free web-based tool that provides a walkability score for any given location. A limited number of North American studies have found associations between Walk Score® and perceived built environment attributes, yet it remains unknown whether similar associations exist in Asian countries. The study’s objective is to examine the covariate-adjusted correlations between the Walk Score® metric and measures of the perceived built environment in ultrahigh density areas of Japan. Cross-sectional data were obtained from a randomly selected sample of adult residents living in two Japanese urban localities. There was a large correlation between Walk Score® and access to shops (0.58; p

Most walkability indices do not capture the topological structure of urban forms. Space syntax models these topological relationships. We estimated associations between the space syntax measure of street integration and walkability (SSW) and neighborhood-specific leisure (LW) and transportation (TW) walking among 4422 Canadian adults. Street integration and SSW were found to be positively associated with TW and LW participation in a usual week. A one-unit increase in SSW was associated with a 6-min increase in usual weekly minutes of TW. Street integration and SSW were also positively associated with TW participation in the last week. Higher street integration and walkability conceptualized using space syntax support neighborhood walking.

Few studies examine associations between objectively-calculated neighbourhood built environment attributes and objectively-assessed sedentary behaviour in different geographical locations, especially in highly-populated environments. Additionally, no study, to our knowledge, has investigated associations between objective measures of neighbourhood built environment attributes and objectively-assessed sedentary behaviours in middle-aged adults, despite the fact that this is a critical stage of life when age-related functional decline begins. We examined the associations between neighbourhood built environment attributes with the total, and patterns of, objectively-assessed sedentary behaviours in a densely-populated area in Asia. Data from 866 adults (ages 40 to 64) living in Japan were included. Four classifications of sedentary behaviours, including daily total sedentary time, duration and number of long (≥30 min) sedentary bouts and breaks per sedentary hour, were estimated using hip-worn accelerometers. Individual (population density, availability of destinations, number of intersections, and distance to the nearest park) and composite (walkability and Walk Score®) neighbourhood built environment indices were calculated using geographic information systems. Covariate-adjusted multilevel linear mixed effects models were used to estimate the associations between the neighbourhood built environment attributes and sedentary behaviours. Population density and availability of destinations were positively associated with sedentary behaviours; however, the number of intersections was negatively associated with sedentary behaviours. No associations were observed between the distance to the nearest park and sedentary behaviours. There were positive associations between walkability and total sedentary time, and duration and the number of long sedentary bouts. Walk Score® was positively associated with total sedentary time and the number of long sedentary bouts. These findings suggest that urban design attributes supportive of walking (except for the number of intersections) may encourage sedentary behaviour among middle-aged adults living in densely-populated environments.

The potential of the neighbourhood built environment for reducing sedentary behaviour has been highlighted in the recent research building on the socio-ecological models. Nevertheless, few studies have investigated the associations between objectively-measured environmental attributes and domain-specific sedentary behaviours in different geographical locations. Notably, high-quality environmental measures that are less data-dependent and are replicable in and comparable across different contexts are needed to expand the evidence on urban design and public health. We examined associations of environmental attributes and Space Syntax Walkability (SSW) with leisure screen time and car driving in a sample of Canadian adults. A total of 2006 Calgarian adults completed a survey that captured their leisure screen time and car driving. Environmental attributes were population density, intersection density, availability of sidewalks, availability of destinations, and SSW using geographic information systems. Adjusting for covariates, a one standard deviation increase in SSW was associated with 0.43 (95% CI −0.85, −0.02) hours/week decrease in leisure screen time. No other environmental attributes were significantly associated with leisure screen time. All environmental attributes (except the availability of sidewalks) were negatively associated with car driving. The strongest association was observed between SSW with car driving—a one standard deviation increase in SSW was associated with 0.77 (95% CI −0.85, −0.02) hours/week decrease in the car driving. Those who lived in highly populated and more connected areas with a variety of destinations nearby spent less time driving their cars. Further, our findings highlight that the composite measure of SSW is associated with both leisure screen time and car driving. Focusing on a novel environmental aspect (SSW) and an emerging health risk factor (sedentary behaviour) among a relatively large sample of Canadian adults, our study provides unique insights into environmental health research.

There is a dearth of evidence about how high-density living may influence dog-walking behaviour. We examined associations between neighbourhood built environment attributes and dog-ownership and dog-walking behaviour in Japan. Data from 1058 participants were used. The dog-ownership was 18.8%. All neighbourhood built attributes (excluding availability of parks) were negatively associated with dog-ownership. Among dog-owners, these same attributes were positively associated with any dog-walking in a usual week and with achieving 150-min per week of physical activity through dog-walking alone. These findings provided evidence on the importance of neighbourhood built environment attributes on dog-ownership and dog-walking behaviour in dense and compact areas. The urban design and public health implication of these findings is that the built environment attributes in high-density living areas may have different impacts on dog-ownership and dog-walking: while living in a walkable neighbourhood may not be conducive to dog-ownership, it may support dog-walking in such areas. Programs targeting dog-owners in high-density areas might be needed to encourage them to walk their dogs more. If successful, these programs could contribute to higher physical activity levels among dog-owners.

ObjectivesReducing sedentary behaviour (SB) and increasing physical activity (PA) have been shown to be associated with decreased depression. However, there are yet few studies examining the potential benefits on older adults’ depression, when SB is replaced with PA. This study aimed to examine the associations of objectively assessed SB, light-intensity PA (LPA) and moderate-to-vigorous PA (MVPA) with depression among a sample of Japanese older adults, and to explore impacts of substituting SB with PA on older adults’ depression.DesignCross-sectional analysis.SettingGeneral community.ParticipantsA total of 276 older adults aged 65–85 years living in Japan.Main outcome measuresThree behaviours including the average daily time spent in SB (≤1.5 METs); LPA (>1.5 to ResultsLess SB (β=0.129, 95% CI 0.015 to 0.243) and more LPA (β=−0.138, 95% CI −0.265 to −0.011) were found to be significantly and negatively associated with the GDS-15 score in the single-activity model. The isotemporal substitution model found that replacing only 30 min per day of SB with the same amount of LPA to be significantly and negatively associated with the GDS-15 score (β=−0.131, 95% CI −0.260 to −0.002).ConclusionsThese findings indicated that substituting even small amounts of SB with LPA may contribute to less depression in older adults. Potential favourable effects can be observed for replacing only 30 min per day of SB with LPA.

The purpose of this study was to examine the cross-sectional association between quality of life (QOL) in older adults and their interest in and standard of selection of clothing. The QOL of older adults in this study was assessed by the sense of life worth living (in Japanese, Ikigai). We hypothesized that having an interest in clothing and dressing behaviors may help maintain and enhance the QOL of older adults. In January 2010, a questionnaire survey including demographic factors (age, sex, and activities of daily living), interest in clothing, standard of selection of clothing, and sense of life worth living was distributed to 850 older Japanese people (aged 70–95 years) who were registered with a survey company. Responses from 499 people (256 men and 243 women; response rate, 58.7%) were analyzed. For standard of selection of clothing, all scores for women were higher than they were for men; no signicant age-group differences were observed, however. Furthermore, scores for interest in one’s own and others’ dressing behavior and interest in fashion were significantly greater in those who were younger or independent. The hierarchical multiple regression analyses also showed that the clothing-related variables significantly explained variance of the sense of life worth living (Ikigai) in older people (from 10% to 23%). We suggest that selecting personal taste in dress and/or an interest in clothing contribute to maintaining and enhancing QOL in older adults, Original article

This study aimed to examine the association between the five factor model of personality and exercise level and self-efficacy (SE) for exercise in older Japanese adults. This study also examined whether SE mediates the association between personality and exercise behavior. Methods: A questionnaire survey was distributed that determined age, sex, physical health, exercise level, SE for exercise, and personality traits of 1,515 older Japanese adults. Of these 1,515 people, 876 aged 60–92 years completed the questionnaire survey. Results: Extraversion and conscientiousness were significantly and positively associated with exercise level after controlling for age, sex, and physical health. All domains of personality traits (extraversion, openness, agreeableness, and conscientiousness were positive, but neuroticism was negative) were significantly correlated with SE for exercise. Structural equation modeling showed that only extraversion was directly affected by exercise level, all personality traits showed significant pathways to SE for exercise, and SE for exercise was the greatest predictor of exercise level in all pathways in the final model. Conclusion: Extraversion is directly associated with exercise level, extraversion, and other personality traits that are affected by SE for exercise. Additionally, SE for exercise is the greatest predictor of exercise level in older Japanese adults, Original article

Background The isotemporal substitution (IS) approach can be used to assess the effect of replacing one activity with the equal duration of another activity on relevant outcomes. This study examined the associations of objectively assessed sedentary behavior (SB) and physical activity (PA) with health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in older Japanese adults, using the IS approach. Methods Participants were 287 older Japanese adults (aged 65–84 years) who wore accelerometers for at least 7 days. We calculated the average daily time spent in SB (≤1.5 METs); light-intensity PA (LPA: > 1.5 to

Objectives The aim of this study was to examine the association between the number of neighborhood facilities that were assessed according to postal code and objectively measured physical activity by using an accelerometer in community-dwelling Japanese people.Methods The participants included 1,274 Japanese people aged 30-84 years from the Saku cohort study. As neighborhood facilities related to physical activity, we extracted information regarding train stations, supermarkets/convenience stores, postal offices/banks, hospitals/clinics, public offices/community centers, cultural facilities/public children's houses, parks, and sports facilities by using each participant's postal code from the online version of the iTownPages directory published by Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corporation (NTT) and the official homepage of the Saku City Government Office. We measured each participant's physical activity level using an accelerometer, and calculated the average daily step count and the average weekly period of moderate-to-vigorous intensity (≥3 metabolic equivalents of tasks [METs]) physical activity. The association between two selected physical activity-related variables and the numbers of eight types of neighborhood facilities were analyzed by multivariate logistic regression analysis for people aged 30-64 years and for those aged over 65 years.Results On multivariate logistic regression analysis, meeting the 23 METs h/week of moderate-to-vigorous intensity physical activity was significantly and positively associated with the number of supermarkets/convenience stores in the neighborhood in both age groups. In addition, meeting the desired daily step count outlined in the Japanese National Health Promotion guidelines was positively related to the number of postal offices/banks for people aged over 65 years.Conclusion The results of this study suggest that a sufficient number of neighborhood facilities (i.e., stores, banks, and postal offices) is closely associated with the promotion of physical activity.

Evidence about the impacts of the physical activity environment on adults’ weight in the context of Asian countries is scarce. Likewise, no study exists in Asia examining whether Walk Score®—a free online walkability tool—is related to obesity. This study aimed to examine associations between multiple physical activity environment measures and Walk Score® ratings with Japanese adults’ body mass index (BMI). Data from 1073 adults in the Healthy Built Environment in Japan study were used. In 2011, participants reported their height and weight. Environmental attributes, including population density, intersection density, density of physical activity facilities, access to public transportation, and availability of sidewalks, were calculated using Geographic Information Systems. Walk Scores® ratings were obtained from the website. Multiple linear regression analysis was conducted to examine the association between each environmental attribute and BMI. Adjusting for covariates, all physical activity environmental attributes were negatively associated with BMI. Similarly, an increase of one standard deviation of Walk Score® was associated with a 0.29 (95% confidence interval (CI) of −0.49–−0.09) decrease in BMI. An activity-friendly built environment was associated with lower adults’ BMI in Japan. Investing in healthy community design may positively impact weight status in non-Western contexts.

Background and Purpose— Although genetic epidemiologic studies have implicated several genetic variants as risk factors for ischemic or hemorrhagic stroke, the genetic determinants of these conditions remain largely unknown. We performed an association study to identify gene polymorphisms that confer susceptibility to atherothrombotic cerebral infarction, intracerebral hemorrhage, or subarachnoid hemorrhage. Methods— The study population comprised 3432 unrelated Japanese individuals: 1362 stroke patients (822 with atherothrombotic cerebral infarction, 333 with intracerebral hemorrhage, and 207 with subarachnoid hemorrhage) and 2070 controls. The genotypes for 50 polymorphisms of 38 candidate genes were determined by a method that combines the polymerase chain reaction and sequence-specific oligonucleotide probes with suspension array technology. Results— An initial χ 2 test (false discovery rate P ABCA1 , the A→C (rs3027898) and C→T (Ser532Leu, rs1059703) polymorphisms of IRAK1 , and the G→C (Cys2229Ser) polymorphism (rs619203) of ROS1 were significantly associated with atherothrombotic cerebral infarction; that the −428G→A polymorphism (rs710968) of LIMK1 was significantly associated with intracerebral hemorrhage; and that the 13989A→G (Ile118Val) polymorphism (NC_000007.12) of CYP3A4 was significantly associated with subarachnoid hemorrhage. Conclusions— Genotypes for ABCA1 , IRAK1 , and ROS1 may prove useful for assessment of the genetic risk for atherothrombotic cerebral infarction, whereas those for LIMK1 and CYP3A4 may be similarly beneficial in assessment of the genetic risk for intracerebral hemorrhage and subarachnoid hemorrhage, respectively. Validation of these findings will require additional studies with independent subject panels.

The interactions of sex, age, season, and habitual physical activity were examined in 41 male and 54 female Japanese age 65–83 yr, using a pedometer/accelerometer that determined step counts and amounts of physical activity (3 metabolic equivalents [METs]) throughout each 24-hr period for an entire year. All 3 measures were greater in men than in women. In women, age was negatively correlated with step count and activity 3 METs. Irrespective of sex or age, all 3 activity variables were low in the winter, peaking in spring or autumn. In the summer, step counts matched the annual average, but durations of activity 3 METs were, respectively, longer and shorter than in other seasons. These findings have practical implications for those promoting physical activity for older adults.

Purpose: Daily variations of physical activity in the elderly remain unclear. We thus used a uniaxial accelerometer/pedometer to examine the variability of step counts for 1 yr, determining the minimum number of days observation needed to obtain reliable estimates of annual physical activity. Methods: Subjects were 37 males and 44 females, healthy Japanese, aged 65-83 yr. The pedometer was worn on the waistband throughout 1 yr, accumulating information on the individual's daily step count. Results: The step count spectrum showed peaks with periods of 2.3, 3.5, and 7.0 d and an aperiodic component that had a greater power at low frequencies (i.e., non-white noise). These characteristics were absent in randomly resequenced data. To ensure that 80% of total variance was attributable to between-subjects variance, 25 and 8 consecutive days of observation were needed in male and female subjects, respectively. To achieve 90% on this same measure of reliability, 105 and 37 consecutive days of observation were required. In contrast, 4 d of randomly timed observations yielded 80% reliability for both men and women, and 11 and 9 d gave 90% reliability in men and women, respectively. If sampling also took account of season and day of the week, the respective observation periods for men and women were reduced to 8 and 4 d (i.e., 2 and 1 consecutive days of sampling every 89 d) for 80% and to 16 and 12 d (i.e., 4 and 3 consecutive days every 89 d) for 90% reliability. Conclusion: When estimating annual step counts, seasonal and/or random sampling of data allows collection of reliable data during substantially fewer days than needed for consecutive observations.

The aim of the present study was to identify gene polymorphisms that confer susceptibility to obesity. A total of 5448 unrelated Japanese individuals from two independent populations were examined: subject panel A comprised 4252 individuals who visited participating hospitals; subject panel B comprised 1196 community-dwelling elderly individuals. The genotypes for 95 polymorphisms of 67 candidate genes were determined. The χ2 test revealed that six polymorphisms were related (p

Background: Although several environmental factors influence the development of myocardial infarction, genetic factors have been shown to contribute to individual susceptibility to this condition. The aim of the present study was to identify gene polymorphisms that confer susceptibility to myocardial infarction in order to allow assessment of genetic risk for this condition. Methods: The study population comprised 3433 unrelated Japanese individuals (1931 men, 1502 women), including 1328 subjects with myocardial infarction (1036 men, 292 women) and 2105 controls (895 men, 1210 women). The genotypes for 40 polymorphisms of 31 candidate genes were determined with a method that combines the polymerase chain reaction and sequence-specific oligonucleotide probes with suspension array technology. Results: The chi-square test revealed that six polymorphisms were significantly (false discovery rate < 0.05) related to the prevalence of myocardial infarction. Further examination by multivariable logistic regression analysis with adjustment for age, sex, body mass index, and the prevalence of hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and hypercholesterolemia as well as by a stepwise forward selection procedure revealed that the A→C (Gln1334His) polymorphism (rs3742207) of the collagen, type IV, alpha-1 gene (COL4A1) and the A→G polymorphism (rs4804611) of the zinc finger protein 627 gene (ZNF627) were significantly (P < 0.05) associated with the prevalence of myocardial infarction. The variant C allele of COL4A1 was protective against myocardial infarction, whereas the variant G allele of ZNF627 represented a risk factor for this condition. Conclusions: Determination of genotypes for COL4A1 and ZNF627 may prove informative for assessment of the genetic risk for myocardial infarction.

The purpose of the present study was to identify genetic variants that confer susceptibility to dyslipidemia. A total of 5213 individuals from two independent populations were examined: Subject panel A comprised 3794 individuals who visited participating hospitals; subject panel B comprised 1419 community-dwelling elderly individuals. The genotypes for 100 polymorphisms of 65 candidate genes were determined. The χ 2 test and multivariable logistic regression analysis revealed that seven polymorphisms of APOA5, APOC3, APOA1, ACAT2, and LPL were significantly associated with hypertriglyceridemia, six polymorphisms of APOA5, LIPC , and CYP3A4 with low HDL-cholesterol, and three polymorphisms of APOE and CCR2 with high LDL-cholesterol in subject panel A. For validation of these associations, the same polymorphisms were examined in subject panel B. Six polymorphisms of APOA5, APOC3, APOA1, and LPL were again significantly associated with hypertriglyceridemia, three polymorphisms of APOA5 with low HDL-cholesterol, and two polymorphisms of APOE with high LDL-cholesterol. Serum triglyceride, HDL-cholesterol, and LDL-cholesterol concentrations differed significantly among genotypes of these corresponding polymorphisms in both subject panels. These results indicate that polymorphisms of APOA5, APOC3, APOA1, and LPL are determinants of hypertriglyceridemia and that those of APOA5 and APOE are determinants of low HDL-cholesterol and high LDL-cholesterol, respectively, in Japanese individuals.

The Physical Activity Questionnaire for Elderly Japanese (PAQ-EJ) is a self-administered physical activity questionnaire for elderly Japanese; the authors report here on its repeatability and direct and indirect validity. Reliability was assessed by repeat administration after 1 month. Direct validation was based on accelerometer data collected every 4 s for 1 month in 147 individuals age 65–85 years. Indirect validation against a 10-item Barthel index (activities of daily living [ADL]) was completed in 3,084 individuals age 65–99 years. The test–retest coefficient was high (r = .64–.71). Total and subtotal scores for lower (transportation, housework, and labor) and higher intensity activities (exercise/sports) were significantly correlated with step counts and durations of physical activity r = .41, .28, .53), respectively. Controlling for age and ADL, scores for transportation, exercise/sports, and labor were greater in men, but women performed more housework. Sex- and ADL- or age-adjusted PAQ-EJ scores were significantly lower in older and dependent people. PAQ-EJ repeatability and validity seem comparable to those of instruments used in Western epidemiological studies.

We determined associations between bone health and the quantity and quality of habitual physical activity in a cohort of 172 free-living Japanese aged 65-83 years (76 men, 96 women).The number of steps taken and the intensity of physical activity were measured every 4 s throughout each 24-h period for 1 year, using a specially adapted accelerometer that distinguished up to 11 levels of physical activity (expressed in metabolic equivalents, METs). At the end of the year, a quantitative ultrasonic technique assessed each participant's osteosonic index (OSI, reflecting bone stiffness in the calcaneus).The data were significantly described by linear and exponential regression models which showed that in both sexes the OSI score increased with increasing daily physical activity, up to the observed maximum values of approximately 14,000 steps/day and 50 min/day at an intensity3 METs. However, when data were categorized into quartiles of physical activity, OSI scores were not significantly greater in persons exceeding recommended minimum standards of habitual physical activity (corresponding to counts of around 6,900 and 6,800 steps/day and durations3 METs of around 18 and 16 min/day in men and women, respectively). All who met such criteria (with the exception of a few women) had OSI scores above the threshold for a clinical diagnosis of osteoporosis. Multivariate-adjusted logistic regression analyses predicted that men and especially women who engaged in6,800 steps/day and16 min/day of moderate-intensity physical activity were, respectively, 4.9-8.4 and 2.2-3.5 times more likely to sustain fractures than those participating in8,200 steps/day and25 min/day of activity3 METs.Causation cannot be inferred from a cross-sectional study. Nevertheless, we suggest that from the viewpoint of bone health, elderly people should be encouraged to engage in low- and moderate-intensity habitual physical activity, taking7,000 steps/day with a duration15 min/day at3 METs.

The purpose of this study was to examine the relationships among exercise behavior, the ability to live independently as assessed by functional activities of daily living (ADL), and psychological health as measured by the Philadelphia Geriatric Center morale scale, using data from 202 elderly residents aged 70 and living in their own home. The main results obtained from the analysis were as follows. 1. Exercise behavior had a significant effect on functional ADL. In particular, subjects who had been exercising regularly for 6 months or longer had higher functional ADL than subjects who did not exercise. 2. For psychological health, the functional ADL level was statistically significant, whereas exercise behavior was not. 3. Multiple regression analysis showed a positive and significant association between psychological health and functional ADL, but not between psychological health and exercise behavior, gender or family type. The results of this study demonstrated that elderly people's efforts to maintain and enhance their psychological health play important roles in their ability to live independently, and that regular exercise is necessary to an elderly person's ability to live independently.