title: Influence of the extent of westernization of lifestyle on the progression of preclinical atherosclerosis in Japanese subjects.
abstract: To clarify the influence of a westernized lifestyle on the risk factors for atherosclerosis and preclinical atherosclerosis in Japanese subjects, we surveyed a Japanese population and Japanese immigrants in the United States. Based on the extent of westernization of their lifestyle, the subjects were classified as Japanese (J), first generation Japanese-Americans (JA-I), and second or later generation Japanese-Americans (JA-II). The consumption of animal fat and simple carbohydrates increased in the order of J, JA-I, and JA-II, while the subjects with strenuous physical activity decreased in the same order. The waist-hip ratio, fasting insulin level, serum cholesterol and triglyceride levels, and prevalence of hypertension increased in the same order as the dietary changes. The carotid intima-media wall thickness and the plaque size, which are indices of preclinical atherosclerosis, also increased in the order of J, JA-I, and JA-II. These data indicate that a westernized lifestyle aggravates the risk factors for atherosclerosis and influences the progression of preclinical atherosclerosis, in correspondence with the extent of westernization.
authors.affiliation: Genshi Egusa Clinic, Hiroshima, Japan. egusa@ruby.ocn.ne.jp
authors.forename: Genshi
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Egusa
authors.forename: Hiroshi
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Watanabe
authors.forename: Kayo
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Ohshita
authors.forename: Rumi
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Fujikawa
authors.forename: Kiminori
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Yamane
authors.forename: Masamichi
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Okubo
authors.forename: Nobuoki
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Kohno
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D001161:Arteriosclerosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000473:pathology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D001213:Asian / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D015992:Body Mass Index; D002339:Carotid Arteries / Q000473:pathology; D004040:Dietary Carbohydrates; D004041:Dietary Fats; D004044:Dietary Proteins; D002149:Energy Intake; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007564:Japan / Q000208:ethnology; D008019:Life Style; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010809:Physical Fitness; D012307:Risk Factors; D017539:Tunica Intima / Q000473:pathology; D017540:Tunica Media / Q000473:pathology; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology; D019366:Western World
chemical_list: D004040:Dietary Carbohydrates; D004041:Dietary Fats; D004044:Dietary Proteins