Published papers

Background/objectives:: Clinical trials of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) among high-risk groups in Japan in which consumption of mairne-omega-3 fatty acids (OM3) is much higher than other countries showed slower progression of coronary atherosclerosis. We aimed to determine the cross-sectional associations of coronary artery calcification (CAC) and calcium density with OM3, EPA, and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), two principal OM3, in the general population in Japan. Subjects/methods:: The Shiga Epidemiological Study of Subclinical Atherosclerosis examined a population-based sample of 1074 men aged 40–79 in 2006–08 for computed tomography-measured CAC score (CCS), a well-established biomarker of coronary atherosclerosis, CAC density score (CDS), a potential marker of plaque stabilization, serum levels of OM3, and risk factors. Results:: Prevalence of CCS > 0, ≥ 100, and ≥ 300 was 65.8%, 25.9%, and 12.9%, respectively; the mean (SD) OM3, EPA, and DHA were 10.1% (3.2), 3.2% (1.7), and 5.9% (1.6), respectively. Odds ratios (95% CI, p-value) of CCS 0, 100, and 300 in ordinal logistic regression associated with 1 SD increase of OM3, EPA, and DHA were 0.91 (0.81–1.03, p = 0.12), 0.99 (0.88–1.11, p = 0.87) and 0.84 (0.74–0.94, p = < 0.01), respectively. The inverse association of DHA with CCS remained significant in multivariate-adjusted model: odds ratio of 0.87 (0.77–0.99, p = 0.03). Blood levels of OM3, EPA, or DHA did not have any significant associations with CDS. Conclusions:: DHA but not EPA had a significant inverse association with coronary atherosclerosis in the general population with high levels of OM3. Future trials are warranted comparing the effect of high-dose DHA and EPA on atherosclerosis and cardiovascular outcomes.

BACKGROUND: Increasing physical activity may prevent cognitive decline. Previous studies primarily focused on older adults and used self-reported questionnaires to assess physical activity. We examined the relationship between step count, an objective measure of physical activity, and cognitive function in community-based middle-aged and older Japanese men. METHODS: The Shiga Epidemiological Study of Subclinical Atherosclerosis randomly recruited community-dwelling healthy men aged 40-79 years from Shiga, Japan, and measured their step counts over 7 consecutive days using a pedometer at baseline (2006-2008). Among men who returned for follow-up (2009-2014), we assessed their cognitive function using the Cognitive Abilities Screening Instrument (CASI) score. We restricted our analyses to those with valid 7-day average step counts at baseline and those who remained free of stroke at follow-up (n = 676). Using analysis of covariance, we calculated the adjusted means of the CASI score according to the quartiles of the average step counts. RESULTS: The mean (standard deviation) of age and unadjusted CASI score were 63.8 (9.1) years and 90.8 (5.8), respectively. The CASI score was elevated in higher quartiles of step counts (90.2, 90.4, 90.6, and 91.8 from the lowest to the highest quartile, respectively, [p for trend = 0.004]) in a model adjusted for age and education. Further adjustment for smoking, drinking, and other cardiovascular risk factors resulted in a similar pattern of association (p for trend = 0.005). CONCLUSION: In apparently healthy middle-aged and older Japanese men, a greater 7-day average step count at baseline was associated with significantly higher cognitive function score.

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

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the reproducibility and validity of a short food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) for food group intake in Japan, the reproducibility and partial validity of which were previously confirmed for nutrients. METHODS: A total of 288 middle-aged healthy volunteers from 11 different areas of Japan provided nonconsecutive 3-day weighed dietary records (DRs) at 3-month intervals over four seasons. We evaluated reproducibility based on the first (FFQ1) and second (FFQ2) questionnaires and their validity against the DRs by comparing the intake of 20 food groups. Spearman's rank correlation coefficients (SRs) were calculated between energy-adjusted intake from the FFQs and that from the DRs. RESULTS: The intake of 20 food groups estimated from the two FFQs was mostly equivalent. The median energy-adjusted SRs between the FFQ1 and FFQ2 were 0.61 (range 0.38-0.86) for men and 0.66 (0.45-0.84) for women. For validity, the median de-attenuated SRs between DRs and the FFQ1 were 0.51 (0.17-0.76) for men and 0.47 (0.23-0.77) for women. Compared with the DRs, the proportion of cross-classification into exact plus adjacent quintiles with the FFQ1 ranged from 58 to 86% in men and from 57 to 86% in women. According to the robust Z scores and the Bland-Altman plot graphs, the underestimation errors in the FFQ1 tended to be greater in individuals with high mean levels of consumption for meat for men and for other vegetables for both men and women. CONCLUSION: The FFQ demonstrated high reproducibility and reasonable validity for food group intake. This questionnaire is short and remains appropriate for identifying associations between diet and health/disease among adults in Japan.

【背景】我が国では、2008年より特定健診が開始され、肥満を必須とするメタボリックシンドローム該当者に対する保健指導介入が行われている。残る非肥満に対する有効な介入方法が模索されているが、肥満、非肥満別に循環器疾患危険因子による循環器疾患死亡の集団寄与危険割合を検討した報告は少ない。【目的】循環器疾患危険因子(血圧、血糖、喫煙)による循環器疾患死亡の集団寄与危険割合(Population Attributable Fraction:PAF)を非肥満群、肥満群に分けて検討する。【方法】対象は1980年に実施された循環器疾患基礎調査の受検者を29年間追跡したNIPPON DATA80対象者のうち、40歳〜74歳の男女計6,662人である。肥満の有無と循環器疾患危険因子のカテゴリーを組み合わせて対象者を分類し、"非肥満かつ循環器疾患危険因子正常群"に対する、各群の多変量調整ハザード比とPAFを算出した。PAFはより現在に近い2010年の危険因子の分布でも算出し、1980年との比較を行った。【結果】循環器疾患死亡に対する多変量調整ハザード比(95%信頼区間)は、血圧は正常、正常高値、高血圧1度、高血圧2度以上と上昇するに従い、非肥満群、肥満群ともに上昇を認めた(非肥満かつ高血圧2度以上群:2.10(1.64-2.70)、肥満かつ高血圧2度以上群:2.72(1.95-3.80)。血糖は正常(随時血糖140mg/dl未満)、境界型(140-200mg/dl)、糖尿病域(200mg/dl以上)と上昇するに従い、非肥満群、肥満群ともに上昇を認めた(非肥満かつ糖尿病域群:2.01(1.33-3.03)、肥満かつ糖尿病域群5.08(2.98-8.66)。喫煙は非喫煙、過去喫煙、現在喫煙(≦20本/日、≦21本/日)の順に上昇を認めた(非肥満かつ現在喫煙≦21本/日群:1.94(1.47-2.55)、肥満かつ現在喫煙≧21本/日群:1.98(1.24-3.15)。2010年の危険因子分布を用いた血圧のPAF合計は非肥満群37.2%、肥満群21.7%、血糖のPAF合計は非肥満群14.4%、肥満群16.3%、喫煙のPAF合計は非肥満群7.0%、肥満群0.9%と、いずれにおいても非肥満群のPAFは肥満群と同等もしくは高値を示した。【結論】各種循環器疾患危険因子は非肥満群、肥満群のどちらにおいても循環器疾患死亡リスクと関連していた。PAFは非肥満群の方が肥満群よりも大きい傾向であり、非肥満者に対しても循環器疾患危険因子に対する介入が重要であることが示唆された。(著者抄録)

BACKGROUND: Major reasons for long-term care insurance certification in Japan are stroke, dementia and fracture. These diseases are reported to be associated with calcium intake. This study examined the association between calcium intake and impaired activities of daily living (ADL) using the data from NIPPON DATA90, consisting of representative sample of the Japanese population. METHODS: A population-based nested case control study was performed. A baseline survey was conducted in 1990, followed by ADL surveys of individuals ≥65 years old in 2000. Individuals with impaired ADL and selected age- and sex-matched controls were then identified. We obtained 132 pairs. Calcium intake was energy-adjusted using the residual method. The association between calcium intake and impaired ADL was examined using conditional logistic regression models. To assess the accuracy of the estimates, we conducted bootstrap analyses. RESULTS: The adjusted odds ratios (ORs) for impaired ADL compared with the group with a calcium intake of <476 mg/day were 0.72 (95% confidence interval, 95% CI: 0.37-1.40) for the 476-606 mg/day group and 0.44 (0.21-0.94) for the ≥607 mg/day group in 2000 (P for linear trend = 0.03). After the bootstrap analyses, the inverse relationship unchanged (median OR per 100-mg rise in calcium intake: 0.87 [1,000 resamplings], 95% CI: 0.76-0.97). CONCLUSIONS: After bootstrap analyses, calcium intake was inversely associated with impaired ADL, 10 years after the baseline survey.

The purpose of the study was to investigate sex-specific associations of skipping breakfast and short sleep duration with metabolic syndrome (MetS) and their interaction. We analyzed baseline data of 14,907 men and 14,873 women aged 35-69 years, who participated in the Japan Multi-Institutional Collaborative Cohort Study from 2005. MetS was diagnosed using a modification of the National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel III revised definition (NCEP-R 2005), using body mass index instead of waist circumference. Breakfast consumption was classified into two categories: ≥6 days/week (consumers) or <6 days/week (skippers). Sleep duration was classified into three categories: <6h, 6 to <8 h, and ≥8 h/day. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to estimate odds ratios (ORs) and 95 % confidence intervals (CIs) and examine the presence of interaction. In men, skipping breakfast and short sleep duration were independently associated with an increased prevalence of MetS (OR 1.26, 95%CI 1.12-1.42 and OR 1.28, 95%CI 1.12-1.45, respectively), obesity, and components of MetS. However, no significant interaction was observed between skipping breakfast and short sleep duration. In women, skipping breakfast and short sleep duration were associated with an increased prevalence of obesity, but not with MetS. These findings indicate that breakfast consumption and moderate sleep duration may be associated with a lower risk of MetS, particularly in men.

This population-based cross-sectional study investigated the influence of dietary patterns on age-related macular degeneration (AMD) in a Japanese population. The Tsuruoka Metabolomics Cohort Study enrolled a general population aged 35-74 years from among participants in annual health check-up programs in Tsuruoka City, Japan. Eating habits were assessed using a food frequency questionnaire. Principal component analysis was used to identify dietary patterns among food items. The association between quartiles of scores for each dietary pattern and intermediate AMD was assessed using multivariate logistic regression models. Of 3433 participants, 415 had intermediate AMD. We identified four principal components comprising the Vegetable-rich pattern, Varied staple food pattern, Animal-rich pattern, and Seafood-rich pattern. After adjusting for potential confounders, higher Varied staple food diet scores were associated with a lower prevalence of intermediate AMD (fourth vs. first quartile) (OR, 0.63; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.46-0.86). A significant trend of decreasing ORs for intermediate AMD associated with increasing Varied staple food diet scores was noted (p for trend = 0.002). There was no significant association between the other dietary patterns and intermediate AMD. In a Japanese population, individuals with a dietary pattern score high in the Varied staple food pattern had a lower prevalence of intermediate AMD.

BACKGROUND: An association between a high intake of marine-derived n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 PUFAs) with a lower risk of coronary heart disease was previously reported. However, the association between n-3 PUFAs and cerebrovascular lesions remains unclear. We evaluated this association in a general-population-based sample of Japanese men. METHODS: Participants were community-dwelling men (40-79 years old) living in Kusatsu City, Shiga, Japan. Serum concentrations of n-3 PUFAs, defined as the sum of eicosapentaenoic and docosahexaenoic acids, were measured via gas-liquid chromatography between 2006 and 2008. Magnetic resonance imaging was used to assess cerebrovascular lesions (including intracerebral large-artery stenosis, lacunar infarction, and microbleeds) and white matter lesions between 2012 and 2015. Logistic regression adjusting for conventional cardiovascular risk factors was used to estimate the odds ratio of prevalent cerebrovascular lesions per 1 standard deviation higher serum concentration of n-3 PUFAs. RESULTS: Of a total of 739 men, the numbers (crude prevalence in %) of prevalent cerebral large-artery stenoses, lacunar infarctions, microbleeds, and white matter lesions were 222 (30.0), 162 (21.9), 103 (13.9), and 164 (22.2), respectively. A 1 standard deviation higher concentration of n-3 PUFAs (30.5 μmol/L) was independently associated with lower odds of cerebral large-artery stenosis (multivariable-adjusted odds ratio, 0.80; 95% confidential interval, 0.67-0.97). There were no significant associations of n-3 PUFAs with the other types of lesions. CONCLUSIONS: n-3 PUFAs may have protective effects against large-artery stenosis, but not small vessel lesions, in the brain.

AIMS: To examine the association between diabetes and prediabetes at baseline and disability, mortality over a 22-year period among middle-aged adult Japanese. METHODS: Participants consisted of 1,788 adults aged 45 to 64 years at baseline from the cohort study NIPPON DATA90. Disability, defined as having decline in ADL, was assessed by a modified Katz questionnaire at four time points. Disability and death without disability for 22-year follow-up were used as outcomes to test the association with a diagnosis of diabetes or prediabetes at baseline, using multinomial logistic regression. Adjusted odd ratios were obtained from four models that contained appropriate adjustment factors such as age, sex, smoking status, drinking status, body mass index, and cardiovascular risk factors (hypertension, hypercholesterolemia, triglycerides, low serum high-density lipoprotein) at baseline. RESULTS: In the present study, 334 (18.7%) reported at least one disability, and 350 (19.6%) were reported dead without observation of disability during follow-up. Adjusting sex and other risk factors, participants with diabetes and prediabetes had higher risk for disability (OR = 1.43, 95%CI=1.07-1.91 and OR = 1.66, 95%CI=1.10-2.50, respectively) and for mortality (OR = 1.56, 95%CI=1.16-2.08 and OR = 1.77, 95%CI=1.18-2.65, respectively) than individuals with normal glucose tolerance. CONCLUSIONS: In middle-aged Japanese, individuals with diabetes and prediabetes were more likely to be associated with disability and mortality. Our findings suggest that prediabetes and diabetes in middle-aged adults should be paid more attention and requires more intervention to prevent disability and mortality in later life.

BACKGROUND: Accurate assessment of fat intake is essential to examine relationships between diet and disease risk. However, estimating individual intakes of fat quantity by dietary assessment is difficult. OBJECTIVE: We assessed the association of plasma phospholipid fatty acid levels with dietary intake of fatty acids in the INTERMAP/INTERLIPID study, conducted with a standardized protocol. METHODS: The study participants were 1339 men and women ages 40-59 years from five Japanese populations one from Hawaii; four from Japan. Fatty acid intake was estimated from four standardized 24-hour dietary recalls. Plasma phospholipid fatty acid composition was analyzed by gas chromatography. We illustrated the relationship between intake and circulating fatty acid levels using Spearman's rank-correlation coefficients, mean, and median values. RESULTS: Spearman's rank-correlation coefficients between intake (g/d) and circulating fatty acid levels (µg/ml) were -0.03 to 0.21 for saturated fatty acids and monounsaturated fatty acids and -0.04 to 0.32 for trans fatty acids. The coefficients for essential n-3 and n-6 fatty acids were moderate to high, especially for eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), 0.60; docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), 0.41; and EPA+DHA, 0.51. The circulating levels and intake of marine-derived n-3 fatty acids showed a linear association, at least for the intake of EPA+DHA up to 2.1 g/d. CONCLUSION: We observed high correlation between intake and circulating levels of marine-derived n-3 fatty acids in participants from Japanese and Japanese-American populations with high and low fish intake. Plasma phospholipid marine-derived n-3 fatty acid measurements are a simple and reliable biomarker for assessing dietary intake.

Background Little is known regarding whether arterial stiffness and atherosclerotic burden are each independently associated with brain structural changes. Simultaneous assessments of both arterial stiffness and atherosclerotic burden in associations with brain could provide insights into the mechanisms of brain structural changes. Methods and Results Using data from the SESSA (Shiga Epidemiological Study of Subclinical Atherosclerosis), we analyzed data among 686 Japanese men (mean [SD] age, 67.9 [8.4] years; range, 46-83 years) free from history of stroke and myocardial infarction. Brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity and coronary artery calcification on computed tomography scans were measured between March 2010 and August 2014. Brain volumes (total brain volume, gray matter, Alzheimer disease signature and prefrontal) and brain vascular damage (white matter hyperintensities) were quantified using brain magnetic resonance imaging from January 2012 through February 2015. In multivariable adjustment models including mean arterial pressure, when brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity and coronary artery calcification were entered into the same models, the β (95% CI) for Alzheimer disease signature volume for each 1-SD increase in brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity was -0.33 (-0.64 to -0.02), and the unstandardized β (95% CI) for white matter hyperintensities for each 1-unit increase in coronary artery calcification was 0.68 (0.05-1.32). Brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity and coronary artery calcification were not statistically significantly associated with total brain and gray matter volumes. Conclusions Among Japanese men, higher arterial stiffness was associated with lower Alzheimer disease signature volumes, whereas higher atherosclerotic burden was associated with brain vascular damage. Arterial stiffness and atherosclerotic burden may be independently associated with brain structural changes via different pathways.

BACKGROUND: It has been pointed out that prolonged television (TV) viewing is one of the sedentary behaviors that is harmful to health; however, the association between socioeconomic status (SES) and prolonged TV viewing time has not been sufficiently investigated in Japan. METHODS: The study population are the participants of NIPPON DATA2010, which is a prospective cohort study of the National Health and Nutrition Survey 2010 in Japan. They were residents in 300 randomly selected areas across Japan. This study included 2752 adults. SES was classified according to the employment status, educational attainment, living status, and equivalent household expenditure (EHE). Prolonged TV viewing time was defined as more than or equal to 4 h of TV viewing per day. Multivariable logistic regression analyses were conducted to examine the association of SES with prolonged TV viewing time. RESULTS: The mean TV viewing time was 2.92 h in all participants. Of 2752 participants, 809 (29.4%) prolonged TV viewing, and the mean TV viewing time of them was 5.61 h. The mean TV viewing time in participants without prolonged TV viewing time was 1.81 h. The mean TV viewing time was prolonged as age classes increased and significantly longer in aged ≥60 years. Prolonged TV viewing time was associated with not working for all age classes and sexes. Only among women, education attainment and living status were also associated with prolonged TV viewing time. For education attainment, the lower the received years of education, the higher odds ratios (OR) of prolonged TV viewing time. For living status, in women aged <60 years, living with others had a significantly higher OR compared to living with spouse. On the other hand, in women aged ≥60 years, living alone had a significantly higher OR. EHE did not have any significant associations with prolonged TV viewing time. CONCLUSIONS: In a general Japanese population, it should be noted that the association between SES and prolonged TV viewing time differed by age and sex. Particularly, it must draw attention to the prolonged TV viewing in elderly. The intervention in order to shorten TV viewing time needs to consider these attributes.

BACKGROUND: Both physical and psychological factors have been associated with functional disability. However, the associations between stress-coping strategies and future functional disability remain unclear. METHODS: We analyzed 2,924 participants who did not have incidence of functional disability or death within the first 3 years of the baseline survey and were aged 65 years or more at the end of follow-up. Stress-coping strategies were assessed via a self-administered questionnaire (emotional expression, emotional support seeking, positive thought, problem-solving, and disengagement) in a baseline survey from 2006 to 2014. Levels of coping strategies were classified as low, middle, and high based of frequency. Functional disability decline was followed up using the long-term-care insurance program until November 1, 2019. Functional disability decline was defined as a new long-term-care insurance program certification. Cox proportional hazards model with competing risk analysis for death was used to evaluate associations between coping strategy levels and functional disability. RESULTS: During the follow-up period, we observed 341 cases of functional disability and 73 deaths without previous incidence of functional disability. A significant inverse association between "positive thought" and "problem-solving" and future functional disability was observed. Multivariable adjusted hazard ratios (95% confidence interval) for functional disability were 0.68 (0.51-0.92) for high levels of "positive thought" and 0.73 (0.55-0.95) for high levels of "problem-solving," compared with low levels of the coping strategies. The inverse association was stronger in men. CONCLUSIONS: Some subcomponents of stress-coping strategies might be associated with future incidence of functional disability among older adults.

AIMS: High-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) associates with atherosclerotic diseases such as stroke. However, previous results on the association between hsCRP levels and functional disability were controversial. METHODS: We analyzed 2,610 men and women who did not exhibit functional disability or death within the first 3 years of the baseline survey and those aged 65 years or older at the end of follow-up. The levels of hsCRP were assessed using latex agglutination assay at baseline survey from 2006 to 2014. Functional disability was followed up using the long-term care insurance (LTCI) program until November 1, 2019. Functional disability was defined as a new LTCI program certification. Cox proportional hazards model with competing risk analysis for death was used to evaluate the association between hsCRP levels and future functional disability. RESULTS: During a 9-year follow-up period, we observed 328 cases of functional disability and 67 deaths without prior functional disability incidence. The multivariable-adjusted hazard ratio (HR, 95% confidence interval [CI]) of functional disability in log-transferred hsCRP levels was 1.43 (1.22-1.67) in men and 0.97 (0.81-1.15) in women. When hsCRP level was analyzed as a categorical variable, low hsCRP levels (＜1.0 mg/l) as the reference, the multivariable-adjusted HR (95% CI) of functional disability in high hsCRP levels (≥ 3.0 mg/l) was 2.37 (1.56-3.62). Similar results were observed when stratified by sex, but it was not significant in women. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrates that low-grade systemic inflammation to assess hsCRP might predict the future incidence of functional disability, especially in men.

Survivors of the Great East Japan Earthquake in 2011 had higher risks of cardiovascular diseases and hypertension, particularly residents of heavy flooding areas and evacuees. Thus far, the association between the prevalence of hypertension and dairy consumption remains unknown among these evacuees. We investigated this association by housing type after the Great East Japan Earthquake. In this cross-sectional study, we conducted a baseline survey among 9569 survivors of the earthquake, aged ≥18 years, between September 2011 and February 2012. Hypertension was defined as a systolic/diastolic blood pressure ≥140/90 mmHg or as persons undergoing treatment for high blood pressure. The frequency of dairy consumption was determined using a questionnaire. Participants living in prefabricated housing and emergency shelters were regarded as residents of temporary housing. Hypertension was prevalent among 43.8% and 44.7% of the participants in temporary and non-temporary housing, respectively. A logistic regression analysis of the prevalence of hypertension by daily dairy consumption showed that the magnitude of multivariable-adjusted odds ratios differed according to housing type (odds ratio, 0.64; 95% confidence interval, 0.51-0.80 in temporary housing; odds ratio, 0.85; 95% confidence interval, 0.73-0.995 in non-temporary housing; P for interaction = 0.0501). These associations were consistent across subgroups according to sex, age, behavioral factors, obesity, disorders of lipid metabolism, and economic status. A higher frequency of dairy consumption was associated with a lower prevalence of hypertension among community-dwelling survivors of earthquakes and tsunamis, particularly those living in temporary housing. Therefore, dietary therapy involving dairy consumption could help prevent hypertension among evacuees.

【目的】過度の飲酒はアルコールそのものが与える健康障害や循環器疾患の発症リスクのみならず、食事にも大きく影響する。しかし、国を代表する集団において飲酒量が栄養素等摂取量に与えている影響を詳細に検討した報告は限られている。そこで、飲酒日における栄養素等摂取量の特徴について検討した。【方法】平成22年国民健康・栄養調査にあわせて20歳以上の男女を対象に実施されたNIPPON DATA2010に参加した、生活習慣病の関連疾患での服薬がなく、栄養摂取状況調査の項目に欠損がない男性729名を解析対象とした。調査日1日の飲酒量に基づき、生活習慣病のリスクを高める量(純アルコール40g以上)の飲酒者をO群(111名)、適量飲酒者(同5g以上40g未満)をM群(187名)、非飲酒者(同5g未満)をN群(431名)とし、各群の栄養素及び食品群別の摂取量について比較検討した。【結果】血圧、HDL及びLDLコレステロール、AST、γ-GTPは、飲酒量により有意な差が認められた。総エネルギー摂取量及びアルコールエネルギー比率は、O群、M群、N群の順に有意に高かったのに対し、炭水化物エネルギー比率及び脂肪エネルギー比率は、O群、M群、N群の順に有意に低かった。また、たんぱく質エネルギー比率は、O群がM群及びN群と比較して有意に低かった。アルコール由来のエネルギーを除外して算出した場合、たんぱく質エネルギー比率は、O群及びM群がN群と比較して有意に高かった。脂肪エネルギー比率は、M群がN群と比較して有意に高かった。炭水化物エネルギー比率はO群及びM群がN群と比較して有意に低かった。たんぱく質、脂質、カリウム、マグネシウム、リン、ビタミンB2、ナイアシン、葉酸、パントテン酸、ビタミンB12、飽和脂肪酸及びコレステロールについて、飲酒量により摂取量に有意な差が認められた。穀類、豆類、野菜類、果実類、菓子類及び嗜好飲料類について、飲酒量により摂取量に有意な差が認められた。【結論】多量飲酒日にはアルコールの摂取により総エネルギー摂取量が高値を示したが、それとは逆に主として穀類から由来する炭水化物の摂取量は低値を示した。循環器疾患をはじめとした生活習慣病予防において、過度の飲酒を控えることは、アルコールそのものによる影響だけでなく、食事によるエネルギー産生栄養素バランスを整える上でも重要であることが示唆された。(著者抄録)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Cerebral small vessel disease (CSVD) is a common subclinical feature of the aging brain. Steps per day may contribute to its prevention. We herein investigated the association between step counts and CSVD in a healthy Japanese male population. METHODS: We analyzed data from 680 men who were free of stroke and participated in this observational study. Seven-day step counts were assessed at baseline (2006-2008) using a pedometer. CSVD was assessed at follow-ups (2012-2015) based on deep and subcortical white matter hyperintensities (WMHs), periventricular hyperintensities, lacunar infarcts, and cerebral microbleeds on magnetic resonance imaging. Using a logistic regression analysis, we computed the adjusted odds ratios, with 95% CIs, of prevalent CSVD according to quartiles of step counts (reference: Q1). We also investigated the association between step counts and WMH volumes using a quantile regression. RESULTS: Steps per day were significantly associated with lower odds ratios, with the lowest at Q3 (8175-10 614 steps/day), of higher (versus low or no burden) deep and subcortical WMHs (odds ratio, 0.52 [95% CI, 0.30-0.89]), periventricular hyperintensities (0.50 [95% CI, 0.29-0.86]), and lacunar infarcts (0.52 [95% CI, 0.30-0.91]) compared with Q1 (≤6060 steps/day) but not cerebral microbleeds. An inverse linear association was observed between step counts and WMH volumes. These associations were independent of age and smoking and drinking status and remained consistent when adjusted for vascular risk factors. CONCLUSIONS: We found a J-shaped relationship between step counts and prevalent CSVD in healthy Japanese men, with the lowest risk being observed among participants with ≈8000 to 10 000 steps/day. Higher steps were also associated with lower WMH volumes.

BACKGROUND: To investigate the association between step counts and brain volumes (BVs)-global and 6 a priori selected cognition-related regions of interest-in Japanese men aged 40-79 years. METHODS: The authors analyzed data from 680 cognitively intact participants of the Shiga Epidemiological Study of Subclinical Atherosclerosis-a population-based observational study. Using multivariable linear regression, the authors assessed cross-sectional associations between 7-day step counts at baseline (2006-2008) and BVs at follow-up (2012-2015) for age-stratified groups (<60 y and ≥60 y). RESULTS: In the older adults ≥60 years, step counts at baseline (per 1000 steps) were associated with total BV at follow-up (β = 1.42, P = .022) while adjusted for potential covariates. Regions of interest-based analyses yielded an association of step counts with both prefrontal cortexes (P < .05) in older adults, while the left entorhinal cortex showed marginally significant association (P = .05). No association was observed with hippocampus, parahippocampal, cingulum, and cerebellum. No association was observed in younger adults (<60 y). CONCLUSIONS: The authors found a positive association between 7-day step counts and BVs, including prefrontal cortexes, and left entorhinal cortex in apparently healthy Japanese men.

Exercise habits are known as a protective factor for a variety of diseases and thus recommended worldwide; however, few studies have examined long-term effects of exercise habits on mortality. We continuously monitored death status in a nationwide population sample of 7,709 eligible persons from the National Integrated Project for Prospective Observation of Noncommunicable Disease and its Trends in the Aged in 1990 (NIPPON DATA90), for which baseline data were obtained in 1990. To investigate the long-term impact of baseline exercise habits, we calculated the relative risk of non-exercisers (participants without regular voluntary exercise habits) in reference to exercisers (those with these habits) for all-cause or cause-specific mortality using a Cox proportional hazard model, in which the following confounding factors were appropriately adjusted: sex, age, body mass index, total energy intake, smoking, drinking, and history of cardiovascular disease. During a median 20 years of follow-up, 1,747 participants died, 99 of heart failure. The risk for all-cause mortality was 12% higher in non-exercisers than in exercisers (95% confidence interval, 1%-24%), which was also observed for mortality from heart failure, as 68% higher in non-exercisers than in exercises (95% confidence interval, 3%-173%). These associations were similarly observed when the participants were divided to subgroups by sex, age, and the light, moderate, or vigorous intensity of physical activity, without any significant heterogeneities (P > 0.1). The present study has revealed significant impact of exercise habits on long-term mortality risks, supporting worldwide recommendations for improvement of exercise habits.