[Factors associated with the improvement of lifestyle among a middle and advanced aged male population].
Factors associated with improvement of lifestyle (diet, smoking, drinking, exercise and health check-up) were studied among 3,503 males aged 40 or more, based on data obtained by two questionnaire surveys which were conducted at about a five year interval in a mountainous area of Aichi Prefecture. Age was positively associated with the improvement of every habit except for health check-up. Developing diseases was associated with the improvement of every habit except for exercise, with strong associations existing between liver diseases and improvement in drinking habits and between diabetes and improved nutritional balance. Improved dietary habits was inversely associated with frequent use of instant foods and irregular eating habits. Moderation in eating was associated with a balanced diet, frequent intake of yellow/green vegetables, fats & oils, and non-smoking at the time of the initial survey. Cessation of smoking was positively associated with fruit intake and inversely associated with irregular meal times, number of cigarettes per day and alcohol intake at baseline. An increase in frequency of exercise was positively associated with consumptions of fruits and dairy products and inversely associated with frequent use of instant foods at time of the initial survey, while an increase in frequency of health check-up was observed among men who had a balanced diet. The improvement of each habit was associated with the improvement of one or more other habits. These results suggest that likelihood for improving lifestyle is higher among men who have a health consciousness and that improvements in these habits are independent.
Kato
I
I
Division of Epidemiology, Aichi Cancer Center Research Institute.
Tominaga
S
S
Matsumoto
K
K
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000517:prevention & control; D004032:Diet; D004327:Drinking Behavior; D015444:Exercise; D006293:Health Promotion; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D008019:Life Style; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012907:Smoking; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires