A Community-Based Intervention to Enhance Subjective Well-Being in Older Adults: Study Design and Baseline Participant Profiles.

Promoting subjective well-being is a crucial challenge in aging societies. In 2022, we launched a community-based intervention trial (the Chofu-Digital-Choju Movement). This initiative centered on fostering in-person and online social connections to enhance the subjective well-being of older adults. This paper describes the study design and baseline survey. This quasi-experimental study involved community-dwelling older adults aged 65-84 years in Chofu City, Tokyo, Japan. A self-administered questionnaire was distributed to 3742 residents (1681 men and 2061 women), and a baseline survey was conducted in January 2022. We assessed subjective well-being (primary outcome); psychosocial, physical, and dietary factors; and the use of information and communication technology variables (secondary outcomes) among the participants. After the intervention involving online classes, community hubs, and community events, a 2-year follow-up survey will be conducted to evaluate the effects of the intervention, comparing the intervention group (participants) with the control group (non-participants). We received 2503 questionnaires (66.9% response rate); of these, the analysis included 2343 questionnaires (62.6% valid response rate; mean age, 74.4 (standard deviation, 5.4) years; 43.7% male). The mean subjective well-being score was 7.2 (standard deviation, 1.9). This study will contribute to the development of a prototype subjective well-being strategy for older adults.

Associations between Workers' Health and Working Conditions: Would the Physical and Mental Health of Nonregular Employees Improve If Their Income Was Adjusted?

Precarious employment can negatively affect health, but workers may be healthy if they earn enough income. This study uses equivalent disposable income and examines the interaction between income classes and employment types to clarify whether workers' health improves as the income classes rise. In Japan, nonstandard workers, called nonregular employees, have remained high since 2013. Therefore, using data from the national cross-sectional Comprehensive Survey of Living Conditions 2013, an official survey performed in Japan, we targeted a sample of employees aged 18 to 45 who graduated during the economic recession. Our final sample included 8282 employees (4444 males and 3838 females). The health (general and mental) status indicators used the dichotomized self-rated health and scores of the K6 questionnaires scored in the national survey. The association between income and health was almost proportional. Female workers tended to improve their health as their income class increased; however, this tendency was not observed in male workers, especially nonregular employees. Although the associations were weakened by added income information on the regression models, nonregular employees always showed inferior health to regular employees. The health status of nonregular employees, especially female nonregular employees, is statistically significantly lower than that of regular employees, even when the economic class is similar. In conclusion, improving low incomes for nonregular employees could improve health challenges, but income alone may not result in the same health status for regular and nonregular employees.

Effects of electrical muscle stimulation on cerebral blood flow.

BACKGROUND: Electrical muscle stimulation (EMS) induces involuntary muscle contraction. Several studies have suggested that EMS has the potential to be an alternative method of voluntary exercise; however, its effects on cerebral blood flow (CBF) when applied to large lower limb muscles are poorly understood. Thus, the purpose of this study was to examine the effects of EMS on CBF, focusing on whether the effects differ between the internal carotid (ICA) and vertebral (VA) arteries. METHODS: The participants performed the experiments under EMS and control (rest) conditions in a randomized crossover design. The ICA and VA blood flow were measured before and during EMS or control. Heart rate, blood pressure, minute ventilation, oxygen uptake, and end-tidal partial pressure of carbon dioxide (PETCO2) were monitored and measured as well. RESULTS: The ICA blood flow increased during EMS [Pre: 330 ± 69 mL min-1; EMS: 371 ± 81 mL min-1, P = 0.001, effect size (Cohen's d) = 0.55]. In contrast, the VA blood flow did not change during EMS (Pre: 125 ± 47 mL min-1; EMS: 130 ± 45 mL min-1, P = 0.26, effect size = 0.12). In the EMS condition, there was a significant positive linear correlation between ΔPETCO2 and ΔICA blood flow (R = 0.74, P = 0.02). No relationships were observed between ΔPETCO2 and ΔVA blood flow (linear: R = - 0.17, P = 0.66; quadratic: R = 0.43, P = 0.55). CONCLUSIONS: The present results indicate that EMS increased ICA blood flow but not VA blood flow, suggesting that the effects of EMS on cerebral perfusion differ between anterior and posterior cerebral circulation, primarily due to the differences in cerebrovascular response to CO2.

Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on working students: Results from the Labour Force Survey and the student lifestyle survey.

OBJECTIVE: The COVID-19 pandemic has caused devastating damage to employment globally, particularly among the non-standard workforce. The objective of this study was to identify the effects of the pandemic on the employment status and lives of working students in Japan. METHODS: The Labour Force Survey (January 2019 to May 2020) was used to examine changes in students' work situations. In addition, to investigate the economic and health conditions of university students during the pandemic, the Student Lifestyle Survey was conducted in late May 2020. This survey asked students at a national university in Tokyo about recent changes in their studies, work, and lives. RESULTS: The number of working students reported in the Labour Force Survey has declined sharply since March 2020, falling by 780,000 (46%) in April. According to a survey of university students' living conditions, 37% were concerned about living expenses and tuition fees, and a higher percentage of students who were aware of financial insecurity had poor self-rated health. CONCLUSION: Nearly half of working students have lost their jobs during the pandemic in Japan, which has affected their lives, studies, and health. There is a need to monitor the impact of economic insecurity on students' studies and health over time, and to expand the safety net for disadvantaged students.

For making a declaration of countermeasures against the falling birth rate from the Japanese Society for Hygiene: summary of discussion in the working group on academic research strategy against an aging society with low birth rate.

In 1952, the Japanese Society for Hygiene had once passed a resolution at its 22nd symposium on population control, recommending the suppression of population growth based on the idea of cultivating a healthier population in the area of eugenics. Over half a century has now passed since this recommendation; Japan is witnessing an aging of the population (it is estimated that over 65-year-olds made up 27.7% of the population in 2017) and a decline in the birth rate (total fertility rate 1.43 births per woman in 2017) at a rate that is unparalleled in the world; Japan is faced with a "super-aging" society with low birth rate. In 2017, the Society passed a resolution to encourage all scientists to engage in academic researches to address the issue of the declining birth rate that Japan is currently facing. In this commentary, the Society hereby declares that the entire text of the 1952 proposal is revoked and the ideas relating to eugenics is rejected. Since the Society has set up a working group on the issue in 2016, there have been three symposiums, and working group committee members began publishing a series of articles in the Society's Japanese language journal. This commentary primarily provides an overview of the findings from the published articles, which will form the scientific basis for the Society's declaration. The areas we covered here included the following: (1) improving the social and work environment to balance between the personal and professional life; (2) proactive education on reproductive health; (3) children's health begins with nutritional management in women of reproductive age; (4) workplace environment and occupational health; (5) workplace measures to counter the declining birth rate; (6) research into the effect of environmental chemicals on sexual maturity, reproductive function, and the children of next generation; and (7) comprehensive research into the relationship among contemporary society, parental stress, and healthy child-rearing. Based on the seven topics, we will set out a declaration to address Japan's aging society with low birth rate.

[Nonregular Employment in a Society with a Decreasing Birthrate: Workers' Marriage, Childbirth, and Childcare].

In this paper, we examine the trend in Japan towards nonregular employment and its effects on marriage, childbirth, and childcare from the viewpoint of a decreasing societal birthrate. Although the decision to marry includes personal values and preferences, socioeconomic status factors such as income and employment type are also associated with the determinants of marriage. Nonregular employment workers have a lower rate and motivation for marriage than regular workers. Thus, socioeconomic disparity caused by employment needs to be minimized through governmental measures and policies. Nonregular employment is increasing among younger generations, and for them, maternity and childcare leave are especially vital. Employee insurance coverage should be expanded to function as a form of income security during these leaves of absence, such that nonregular workers are also covered. During the childcare period, which lasts more than 10 years, it is necessary to cover childrearing costs and also the time required to spend with children. If a single working parent is involved in childcare alone, there is the burden of both work and childcare. Additionally, long work hours can also impact workers that are not involved in childcare. This is a dilemma: a stable and regular employment is often necessary to achieve a higher education; however, it is difficult for nonregular employees to take care of and prepare children for higher education owing to limited financial means. Properly designed measures and policies are necessary to break this chain. Importantly, considerations about life and work are important for all workers, including nonregular workers, who are especially affected in terms of marriage, childbirth, and childcare.

Relationship between menstruation status and work conditions in Japan.

BACKGROUND: Menstrual problems can significantly impact daily and work life. In reaction to a shrinking population, the Japanese government is encouraging more women to participate in the labor force. Actual success in achieving this aim, however, is limited. Specifically, participation in the workforce by women during their reproductive years is impacted by their health, which involves not only work conditions, but also traditional family circumstances. Therefore, it is important to further assess and gather more information about the health status of women who work during their reproductive years in Japan. Specifically, women's health can be represented by menstruation status, which is a pivotal indicator. In this study, we assessed the association between short rest periods in work intervals and menstruation and other health status indicators among female workers in Japan. METHODS: Study participants were recruited from the alumnae of a university, which provided a uniform educational level. All 9864 female alumnae were asked to join the survey and 1630 (17%) accepted. The final sample of study participants (n = 505) were aged 23-43 years, had maintained the same job status for at least 1 year, and were not shift workers, had no maternal status, and did not lack any related information. The participants were divided into two groups according to interval time, with 11 h between end of work and resumption of daily work as a benchmark. This interval time was based on EU regulations and the goal set by the government of Japan. Health outcomes included: menstrual cycle, dysmenorrhoea symptoms, anxiety regarding health, and satisfaction in terms of health. Multiple logistic regression analyses were conducted to estimate the odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for health indexes in association with interval time by adjusting for confounding variables that included both psychosocial and biological factors. RESULTS: We compared the health status of women in the workforce with and without a sufficient interval time of 11 h/day. Workers who had a short interval time had a significantly higher prevalence of anxiety about health and dissatisfaction with their health. For menstruation status, only abnormal menstruation cycles were observed more often among workers in the short interval group than those of the long interval group. However, this association disappeared when biological confounding factors were adjusted in a multivariable regression model. Dysmenorrhea symptoms did not show a statistically significant association with short interval time. CONCLUSIONS: This study found a significant association between a short interval time of less than 11 h/day and subjective health indicators and the menstrual health status of women in the workforce. Menstrual health was more affected by biological factors than social psychological factors. A long work time and short interval time could increase worker anxiety and dissatisfaction and may deteriorate the menstrual cycle.

Female non-regular workers in Japan: their current status and health.

The participation of women in the Japanese labor force is characterized by its M-shaped curve, which reflects decreased employment rates during child-rearing years. Although, this M-shaped curve is now improving, the majority of women in employment are likely to fall into the category of non-regular workers. Based on a review of the previous Japanese studies of the health of non-regular workers, we found that non-regular female workers experienced greater psychological distress, poorer self-rated health, a higher smoking rate, and less access to preventive medicine than regular workers did. However, despite the large number of non-regular workers, there are limited researches regarding their health. In contrast, several studies in Japan concluded that regular workers also had worse health conditions due to the additional responsibility and longer work hours associated with the job, housekeeping, and child rearing. The health of non-regular workers might be threatened by the effects of precarious employment status, lower income, a lower safety net, outdated social norm regarding non-regular workers, and difficulty in achieving a work-life balance. A sector wide social approach to consider life course aspect is needed to protect the health and well-being of female workers' health; promotion of an occupational health program alone is insufficient.

Determinants of changes in income-related health inequalities among working-age adults in Japan, 1986-2007: time-trend study.

This study aimed to quantify the contributions of the factors that have influenced changes in income-related health inequalities. We used data from a nationally representative sample of Japanese men and women aged 20-59 years who participated in eight repeated cross-sectional surveys between 1986 and 2007. A concentration index (CI) was used to measure income-related inequalities in self-rated health (SRH) and decomposed into contributing factors. We then examined temporal changes in CIs and their contributing factors. Results showed that income-related inequalities in SRH, unfavourable to low-income groups, persisted throughout the study period. Despite widening income inequalities, inequalities in SRH narrowed during the period of economic stagnation since the late 1990s because of the profound deterioration in SRH among middle- to high-income groups. Decomposition analysis showed that income itself and unemployment or economic inactivity were the most important contributors to inequalities in SRH for both sexes at almost all time points. However, from 1986 to 2007, the relative contribution of income to these inequalities decreased from 78% to 14% in men and from 85% to 38% in women. By contrast, the relative contribution of unemployment or economic inactivity increased from 18% to 77% in men and from 10% to 31% in women. Our results suggest that a reduction in avoidable health inequalities could be achieved by reducing the influence of unemployment or economic inactivity on health.

Relationship between transitions in self-rated health and health indicators in Japanese workers.

OBJECTIVE: Self-rated health (SRH) reflects lifestyle habits, chronic disease, and psychosocial conditions. The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between transitions in SRH and health indicators among Japanese white-collar workers. METHODS: Three-year medical examination data from an occupational field was used. The distribution of data related to SRH, lifestyle habits, treatment of chronic disease, laboratory data abnormalities, job stress, and sickness absences were compared using ridit analysis, and the odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals were calculated using the first year of observation as a reference. RESULTS: During the observation period, the proportion of workers with poor SRH, self-rated lifestyle habits, sleep, dietary habits, and body mass index increased. Particularly, high job stress (heavy job burden and low job control) and few sickness absences were strongly related to poor SRH. CONCLUSIONS: Unfavorable lifestyles and work-related conditions worsened as SRH declined among workers. The results suggest that health indicators related to SRH are different according to the population. Tracking changes in SRH using indices related to SRH is useful for evaluating the health status in a target group.

Evaluation of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels in Japanese women.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the present study was to clarify the significance of high levels of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) in Japanese women receiving an annual health check-up. METHODS: A total of 1879 women who were not taking medication for hypertension, diabetes or dyslipidemia, with no prior history of ischemic heart disease, cerebrovascular disease or chronic renal failure were analyzed. First, the association between HDL-C and homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) was studied. Next, the association between HDL-C and the number of metabolic syndrome (MetS) risk factors, including HOMA-IR, was determined. In addition, clinical parameters including HOMA-IR, number of MetS risk factors, smoking, exercise, and alcohol consumption habits were compared according to HDL-C level. RESULTS: HOMA-IR was lower in subjects with elevated HDL-C. Additionally, a lower body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), fasting plasma glucose (FPG), and triglycerides (TG) were observed in subjects with higher HDL-C. Moreover, the proportion of subjects who were obese, or those who had high FPG, high TG, and a high number of MetS risk factors was lower in subjects with higher HDL-C. Both obesity and smoking were associated with reduced HDL-C levels. Increasing levels of alcohol consumption, from < 25 g/day, to 25 -< 50 g/day, to 50 -< 75 g/day, were associated with a progressive increase in HDL-C level, but a progressive reduction in HOMA-IR. However, this apparent benefit of alcohol intake on HDL-C and HOMA-IR disappeared in subjects who drank ≥ 75 g/day. CONCLUSIONS: Female subjects who were not obese, did not smoke, and drank < 75 g alcohol/day had elevated HDL-C levels, which were associated with improved insulin sensitivity. Drinking alcohol in excess of 75 g/day appeared to provide no advantages in terms of HDL-C or HOMA-IR levels. Thus, it might be important for females to keep their alcohol intake below 75 g/day.

The possible absence of a healthy-worker effect: a cross-sectional survey among educated Japanese women.

OBJECTIVES: Despite being highly educated in comparison with women in other member countries of the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development, Japanese women are expected to assume traditional gender roles, and many dedicate themselves to full-time housewifery. Women working outside the home do so under poor conditions, and their health may not be better than that of housewives. This study compared the self-rated health status and health behaviours of housewives and working women in Japan. DESIGN: Cross-sectional survey. SETTING: A national university in Tokyo with 9864 alumnae. PARTICIPANTS: A total 1344 women who graduated since 1985 and completed questionnaires in an anonymous mail-based survey. PRIMARY AND SECONDARY OUTCOME MEASURES: Health anxiety and satisfaction, receipt of health check-ups, eating breakfast, smoking, and sleep problems according to job status and family demands: housewives (n=247) and working women with (n=624) and without (n=436) family demands. ORs were used for risk assessment, with housewives as a reference. RESULTS: After adjustment for satisfaction with present employment status and other confounding factors, working women were more likely than housewives to feel health anxiety (with family demands, OR: 1.68, 95% CI1.10 to 2.57; without family demands, OR: 3.57, 95% CI 2.19 to 4.50) and health dissatisfaction (without family demands, OR: 3.50, 95% CI 2.35 to 5.21); they were also more likely than housewives to eat an insufficient breakfast (with family demands, OR: 1.91, 95% CI 1.22 to 3.00; without family demands, OR: 4.02, 95% CI 2.47 to 6.57) and to have sleep problems (ORs: 2.08 to 4.03). CONCLUSIONS: No healthy-worker effect was found among Japanese women. Housewives, at least those who are well educated, appear to have better health status and health-related behaviours than do working women with the same level of education.

Full-time workers with precarious employment face lower protection for receiving annual health check-ups.

BACKGROUND: Precarious employment is one of the social determinants of health. In 2010, 34.4% of Japanese workers fell into this employment category. The purpose of our study was to assess whether the use of annual health check-ups varied by worker contract type. METHODS: Using 2007 nationally representative survey data, we compared the annual health check-up compliance of permanently employed full-time workers versus that of precariously employed workers (hourly, dispatched, and fixed-term workers). RESULTS: Dispatched workers and hourly workers received health check-ups less often compared with permanent workers. Hourly young male workers received health check-ups five times less frequently than permanent workers. The percentage of workers who consulted a physician after receiving advice to do so did not differ by employment types, except in older men. CONCLUSIONS: In Japan, workers with precarious employment, most notably hourly and dispatched workers, had a lower rate of health check-ups compared with full-time workers in permanent positions.

Precarious employment and health: analysis of the Comprehensive National Survey in Japan.

Recent studies suggest that unstable employment contracts may affect the health of workers. Many Japanese workers working full time in ostensibly permanent positions actually operate within unstable and precarious employment conditions. We compared the health status of Japanese workers with precarious employment contracts with that of permanent workers using the 2007 Comprehensive Survey of Living Conditions of the People on Health and Welfare (n=205,994). We classified their employment status as 'permanent' vs. 'precarious' (part-time, dispatch, or contract/non-regular) and compared their health conditions. Among both sexes, precarious workers were more likely than permanent workers to have poor self-rated health or more subjective symptoms, with more workers in full-time employment suffering from serious psychological distress (SPD) and more female workers who smoke. Using logistic regression, we identified a positive association between precarious employment and SPD and current smoking among workers engaged in full-time employment after adjusting for age, marital status, and work-related conditions. This study demonstrates that precarious employment contracts are associated with poor self-rated health, psychological distress, and tobacco use, especially among people working full-time jobs. These results suggest that engagement in full-time work under unstable employment status impairs workers' health.

Effect of unequal employment status on workers' health: results from a Japanese national survey.

This study assesses the possibility of a period effect on Japanese workers' health and its association with historical changes in the work environment. We used multi-year national cross-sectional surveys, the Comprehensive Survey of Living Conditions for 2001, 2004, and 2007, and estimated the period effect on the health of employed workers aged 18-65 years. The prevalence of ill-health indicators (poor self-rated health status, subjective symptoms, and the number of respondents receiving consultations from medical doctors and other health professionals) significantly increased during this period. Deteriorating trends in these health indicators persisted after adjusting for age and cohort effects and for individual factors such as employment, marital, and child-rearing status. Furthermore, after adjusting for income level as an individual factor, deteriorating trends remained for the poor self-rated health status of male employees, subjective symptoms of female employees, and receiving medical consultations for both genders. The health status of employed workers in Japan deteriorated, especially from 2004 to 2007, regardless of age and cohort effects. After taking individual socio-economic factors and the effects of the recession on society into consideration, we hypothesized a posteriori that the increase in precarious non-regular work may be the main factor underlying this period effect and may be the cause of the deterioration in workers' health.

Job stress strengthens the link between metabolic risk factors and renal dysfunction in adult men.

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is an important risk factor for cardiovascular disease. The metabolic risk factors obesity, hypertension, diabetes, and dyslipidemia are closely associated with renal dysfunction. As psychosocial stress affects these risk factors, here, we examined relationships between metabolic risk factors and renal function, and their association with job stress. The participants were 1,231 Japanese male office workers attending annual health examinations. The estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) was determined using the equation recommended by the Japanese Society for Nephrology: eGFR (mL/min/1.73 m(2)) = 194 × age(-0.287) × Cr(-1.094). Job stress was measured using the Job Content Questionnaire based on the job demand-control model. The job strain index equaled the job demand scores divided by the job control scores. The participants were classified into four ordinal groups of job strain index, based on previous studies (i.e., ≤ 0.4 the lowest, 0.4-0.5 lower, 0.5-0.6 higher, or ≥ 0.6 the highest). A significant correlation was found between lowered eGFR and each of the metabolic risk factors waist circumference, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, and total cholesterol (p < 0.001). Furthermore, job stress had an interactive effect on the relationships between eGFR and systolic and diastolic blood pressure, and triglycerides, depending on the job strain index (highest vs. lowest) (p < 0.05). The highly stressed workers exhibited a close association of eGFR with metabolic risk factors like hypertension and dyslipidemia. Therefore, intensive management may be important for preventing the progression of renal dysfunction and cardiovascular complications in those experiencing stress.

[Factors associated with working among female physicians in Japan].

OBJECTIVES: Japan faces a very serious physician shortage and needs female doctors. However, a previous survey in Japan showed that female physicians were more likely than their male counterparts to resign from their jobs due to marriage and childbearing. According to studies in Western countries, the professional motivation of female physicians is seriously affected by sex-based inequalities in professional opportunities. The purpose of this study was to compare men and women in terms of their encounters with sex-based inequalities in professional opportunities and their related experiences at work, and to investigate factors associated with working among female physicians. METHODS: We sent self-administered questionnaires to 1,346 physicians who graduated from a private university-affiliated school of medicine in June 2009. Beginning with a question asking for responses to the statement, "Females are less likely to be promoted in medical school," the instrument included 14 questions addressing sex-based inequalities in work opportunities; we further developed the scale using factor analyses. We inquired about disadvantages experienced due to sex-based inequalities at work by asking "Have you ever had an experience in which you were not able to obtain a salaried position, an opportunity for promotion, or a permanent position at work because of your gender?" RESULTS: Data were obtained from 452 men (mean age, 48 years) and 224 women (mean age, 43 years); the response rate was 44% for men and 71% for women. Forty women (18%) acknowledged encountering sex-based disadvantages, whereas only 15 men (3%) reported such phenomena (P < 0.001). Women had higher scores than men on all but one question on sex-based inequalities in work opportunities. Sixty-six percent of female physicians were full-time workers, 32% were part-time workers, and the remaining 2% were unemployed. After adjusting for disadvantageous experiences, having or not having a child, and household income, logistic regression analyses showed that part-time workers were more likely than full-time workers to be married and to report encountering sex-based inequalities in work opportunities, whereas full-time workers were more likely than part-time workers to have qualified as specialists. CONCLUSION: The data suggest that qualifying as a specialist and encountering sex-based inequalities in work opportunities are associated with working among female physicians.

[The health of permanent workers and workers with precarious employment: a literature review].

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to review research articles about the health of workers with precarious employment (precarious workers). METHODS: Articles that compared the health status between permanent and precarious workers were systematically searched. The collected articles are discussed with respect to their study design, data source, sample size, country, health outcome, definition of precarious employment, and primary findings. RESULTS: Sixty-eight articles were identified by the inclusion criteria. Health outcomes were categorized into four types: occupational injuries, physical health, mental health, and alternative health measurements. Precarious employment was associated with a high prevalence of occupational injuries, higher mortality rate, and inferior degree of mental health. For alternative health measures, access to health services were limited among precarious workers. Sickness absence or leave was taken less often by precarious workers than permanent workers. CONCLUSIONS: Unstable employment and the limited welfare of precarious workers might affect their health in relation to a variety of health-related characteristics while several studies concluded that permanent workers had an inferior health status. Therefore, the current social climate, which allows precarious employment with low benefits and diverse work contracts, might be detrimental for workers' health, in general.

Lack of leisure-time physical activity in non-obese Japanese men with components of metabolic syndrome.

A focus exclusively on waist circumference, the main component used in the diagnosis of metabolic syndrome (MetS), may lead to ignoring non-obese individuals with other MetS components, including high levels of blood pressure, fasting blood glucose, and triglycerides and low levels of high-density lipoprotein. This study investigated lifestyles and eating behaviors among non-obese individuals with components of MetS. Of the 918 Japanese male workers, 151 subjects (16.4%) had a waist circumference < 85 cm with more than one MetS component. This non-obese high-risk group for MetS gained weight in adulthood, consume alcohol, and engage in less leisure-time physical activity compared to 317 subjects (34.5%) with a waist circumference < 85 cm and without MetS components (p < 0.05). The remaining 450 subjects (49%) were obese with a waist circumference ≥ 85, including 93 men with MetS. A lack of leisure-time physical activity was associated with the non-obese high-risk group for MetS [odds ratio 1.59, 95% confidence interval 1.02 - 2.49] compared to the 317 non-obese men without MetS (reference group). Such a difference in physical activity was not found between the 450 obese subjects and the reference group. Instead, eating behaviors, such as eating rapidly, preference for fatty foods, and eating out for dinner, were significantly associated with MetS. Thus, men with smaller waist circumferences and any MetS component should be carefully monitored for physical activity to prevent further development of MetS, while men with larger waist circumferences including MetS need to be monitored for unfavorable eating behaviors.