Characteristics and Changes in Health Status and Life Function among Female Elderly Participants of Group Exercise.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to clarify the characteristics of female elderly participants of a group exercise organized by the participants themselves and the changes in their physical, mental, and social health, and life function. Findings of this study will be used for promoting effective preventive care. METHODS: The subjects whose characteristics were analyzed were 394 participants and 757 nonparticipants of the group exercise. Those whose changes in health were analyzed were 52 participants and 114 nonparticipants. Locomotion Check and self-rated health score were used as indices of physical health. World Health Organization-Five well-being (S-WHO-5-J) index and self-rated life satisfaction level were used as indices of mental health. Satisfaction level of social activities was one of indices of social health. The Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Gerontology Index of Competence was used as an index of life function. The health-examination data analyzed were Body Mass Index, waist circumference, blood pressure, lipid profiles, and HbA1c level. RESULTS: In the participant group, the proportions of those who lived alone, who were affluent, and who had no job were higher than those in the nonparticipant group. The indices of physical, mental and social health and life function were higher in the participant group. There was no significant difference in the 5-year trend of health-examination data between the two groups. There was no significant difference in the yearly change in the indices of physical health and life function. The S-WHO-5-J index, self-rated life satisfaction level, and satisfaction level of social activities were maintained or improved in the participant group. CONCLUSION: The results suggest the possible usefulness of the group exercise for maintaining the mental and social health of elderly women.

[Experience of weight loss and its related factors of thin females who still wished to lose weight among junior high school students].

OBJECTIVE: This study was aimed at clarifying the experience of weight loss and its related factors of thin females who still wished to lose weight among junior high school students. METHODS: The subjects were 1,302 males and females in the second and third grades in 17 junior high schools in A area in Wakayama Prefecture, Japan. The anonymous self-administered questionnaire included items on attributes, items relevant to weight loss, lifestyle, subjective symptoms, and items relevant to stress. A logistic regression analysis (likelihood ratio) was used with the question items showing a statistically significant difference when comparing the two groups as independent variables to identify the factors related to the experience of weight loss. RESULTS: There were 1,168 respondents (response rate, 89.7%). Eighty females who were less than -10% of the standard for obesity, but who still wished to lose weight, were selected from among 544 females. They were divided into two groups: those who had experienced losing weight (N=31, dieting group) and those who had never experienced losing weight (N=49, nondieting group). Between the two groups, there was a statistically significant difference in eight question items. The logistic regression analysis showed that believing oneself to be heavy by self-assessment, going to bed after midnight, and a short attention span were factors related to the experience of losing weight. CONCLUSION: Forty percent of the thin females who still wished to lose weight experienced weight loss. Distortion in the self-assessment of one's figure, inappropriate lifestyle, and subjective symptoms were designated as related factors.