Lifestyle Disease

ABSTRACT

The term "lifestyle disease" was introduced in response to the proposal by the Council on Public Health in Japan (December, 1996), replacing the traditional name of "adult disease". This new term represents a concept of "a group of diseases where symptomatic appearances and progress are affected by living practices including eating, exercising, rest, smoking, and drinking". Generally, the development of a lifestyle disease is influenced by external environmental factors such as various pathogenic organisms, toxic substances and hereditary factors. However, it is clear that in many cases the development and aggravation of diseases such as diabetes, high blood pressure, cancer, cerebrovascular disease and heart disease also deeply involves lifestyle habits such as eating, exercise, and rest.