title: Evaluation of the total health promotion plan in Japan, as related to health promotion effects and the prevention of lifestyle-related diseases.
abstract: The present study was undertaken to investigate whether health-promoting activities in Japan are useful for preventing the development of lifestyle-related diseases and for promoting health. One thousand, one hundred and sixty-seven Japanese workers were given a medical health check and had their maximum oxygen uptake measured according to the total health promotion plan (THP) protocol, which the Japanese Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare is actively planning. Correlations between the maximum oxygen uptake and performance on health check items were statistically evaluated. The maximum oxygen uptake was positively correlated with the duration of a worker's ability to stand on one leg, and on the frequency with which they performed upper body weight lifting. In addition, the maximum oxygen uptake was negatively correlated with age, body weight, thickness of subcutaneous fat in the upper arms and shoulders, body fat ratios, body mass index (BMI), maximum and minimum blood pressures, resting heart rates, and total cholesterol levels. Moreover, the maximum oxygen uptake tended to be significantly higher in both male and female subjects who exercised regularly. It is suggested that maximum oxygen uptake and regular exercising play important roles in the inhibition of risk factors for ischemic heart diseases. Therefore, we believe the THP can play an important role in the primary prevention of lifestyle-related diseases. The purpose of the THP in Japan is to promote the achievement of healthy lifestyles in individual subjects, both from mental and physical perspectives. These results suggest that such efforts may help prevent the development of lifestyle-related diseases.
authors.affiliation: Second Department of Internal Medicine, Tokushima Industrial Promotion Center, University of Tokushima, Japan.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Oura
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Nomura
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Nakaya
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Shichijyo
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ito
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000375:Aging / Q000378:metabolism; D015444:Exercise / Q000502:physiology; D005080:Exercise Test; D005260:Female; D006285:Health Planning; D006293:Health Promotion; D006801:Humans; D007564:Japan; D008019:Life Style; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009313:National Health Programs; D010101:Oxygen Consumption; D010808:Physical Examination; D011315:Preventive Medicine; D014891:Weight Lifting