Background There is limited evidence on sarcopenia in Asian populations. This study aimed to clarify the prevalence, associated factors, and the magnitude of association with mortality and incident disability for sarcopenia and combinations of its components among Japanese community‐dwelling older adults. Methods We conducted a 5.8 year prospective study of 1851 Japanese residents aged 65 years or older (50.5% women; mean age 72.0 ± 5.9) who participated in health check‐ups. Sarcopenia was defined according to the Asian Working Group for Sarcopenia 2019 algorithm. Appendicular lean mass index (ALMI) was measured using direct segmental multi‐frequency bioelectrical impedance analysis. A Cox proportional hazards regression model was used to identify associations of sarcopenia and the combinations of its components with all‐cause mortality and incident disability. Results The prevalence of sarcopenia was 11.5% (105/917) in men and 16.7% (156/934) in women. Significant sarcopenia‐related factors other than ageing were hypoalbuminaemia, cognitive impairment, low activity, and recent hospitalization (all P‐values <0.05) among men and cognitive impairment (P = 0.004) and depressed mood (P < 0.001) among women. Individuals with sarcopenia had higher risks of mortality [hazard ratios (95% confidence interval): 2.0 (1.2–3.5) in men and 2.3 (1.1–4.9) in women] and incident disability [1.6 (1.0–2.7) in men and 1.7 (1.1–2.7) in women]. Compared with the individuals without any sarcopenia components, those having low grip strength and/or slow gait speed without low ALMI tended to have an increased risk of disability [1.4 (1.0–2.0), P = 0.087], but not mortality [1.3 (0.8–2.2)]. We did not find increased risks of these outcomes in participants having low ALMI in the absence of low grip strength and slow gait speed [1.2 (0.8–1.9) for mortality and 0.9 (0.6–1.3) for incident disability]. Conclusions Japanese older men and women meeting Asian criteria of sarcopenia had increased risks of all‐cause mortality and disability. There were no significant increased risks of death or incident disability for both participants with muscle weakness and/or low performance without low muscle mass and those with low muscle mass with neither muscle weakness nor low performance. Further studies are needed to examine the interaction between muscle loss, muscle weakness, and low performance for adverse health‐related outcomes.

This 3-month multifactorial intervention reduced frailty and improved functional health. These intervention effects persisted for at least 3 months post-intervention. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2017; 17: 2034-2045.

Objective: Higher body mass index (BMI) values have been reported in rotating shift workers compared with regular daytime workers. This study examines the relationship between work schedule and BMI, and considers whether lifestyle habits could explain the relationship. Methods: Japanese female nurses (1179 day workers and 1579 rotating shift workers, aged 20-59) were studied using self-administered questionnaires. The questionnaires assessed height, weight, and dietary intake, physical activity, and sleep (lifestyle) habits. Results: The BMI of shift workers was significantly higher than that of day workers. Shift workers consumed significantly higher amounts of sugar-sweetened beverages and slept for significantly shorter durations on nights between days on the day shift compared with day workers-factors which were also independently associated with higher BMI. In addition, multivariable linear regression coefficients for BMI showed a significant correlation with rotating shift work (b 5 0.051), after controlling for lifestyle habits. Conclusions: Higher consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages and shorter sleep duration were associated with rotating shift work and higher BMI. This should be taken into consideration in preventing obesity in real-life shift work situations. Other shift work-related factors, such as abnormal timing of meals and/or sleep, should also be identified.

ObjectivesPrevious studies examined the physical characteristics of older dog owners. However, associations of health-related factors with dog/cat ownership have not been comprehensively evaluated. This cross-sectional study examined physical function, physical activity, social function, and psychological function of a population of community-dwelling older Japanese dog and cat owners after controlling for important confounders.MethodsThe analysis included data from 11,233 community-dwelling adults aged 65 years or older (51.5% women; 52.3% aged 75–84), in Ota City, Tokyo, Japan. Pet ownership experience and pet species owned were determined by self-reported questionnaire, and current, past, and never dog/cat ownership was analyzed.ResultsAnalysis of variables related to physical function and physical activity showed that motor fitness scale and walking activity were significantly associated with experience of dog ownership, after adjustment for important sociodemographic and health characteristics. Analysis of social function showed that interaction with neighbors, social isolation, and trust in neighbors were significantly associated with experience of dog ownership and cat ownership.ConclusionsAs compared with respondents with no history of pet ownership, motor fitness and walking activity are greater for dog owners and social function is higher for dog and cat owners. Caring for a dog or cat might be an effective health promotion strategy to increase physical activity and facilitate social participation among older adults.

BackgroundFood frequency questionnaires (FFQs) have been developed and validated for various populations. To our knowledge, however, no FFQ has been validated for young athletes. Here, we investigated whether an FFQ that was developed and validated to estimate dietary intake in middle-aged persons was also valid for estimating that in young athletes.MethodsWe applied an FFQ that had been developed for the Japan Public Health Center-based Prospective Cohort Study with modification to the duration of recollection. A total of 156 participants (92 males) completed the FFQ and a 3-day non-consecutive 24-hour dietary recall (24hDR). Validity of the mean estimates was evaluated by calculating the percentage differences between the 24hDR and FFQ. Ranking estimation was validated using Spearman’s correlation coefficient (CC), and the degree of miscategorization was determined by joint classification.ResultsThe FFQ underestimated energy intake by approximately 10% for both males and females. For 35 nutrients, the median (range) deattenuated CC was 0.30 (0.10 to 0.57) for males and 0.32 (−0.08 to 0.62) for females. For 19 food groups, the median (range) deattenuated CC was 0.32 (0.17 to 0.72) for males and 0.34 (−0.11 to 0.58) for females. For both nutrient and food group intakes, cross-classification analysis indicated extreme miscategorization rates of 3% to 5%.ConclusionsAn FFQ developed and validated for middle-aged persons had comparable validity among young athletes. This FFQ might be useful for assessing habitual dietary intake in collegiate athletes, especially for calcium, vitamin C, vegetables, fruits, and milk and dairy products.

Among older adults, greater dietary variety may help maintain physical performance, such as grip strength and usual gait speed, but not lean mass.

ObjectivesOur study examines differences in eating behaviour between day workers and rotating shift workers, and considers whether diurnal preference could explain the differences.MethodsJapanese female nurses were studied (39 day workers and 123 rotating shift workers, aged 21–63 years) using self-administered questionnaires. The questionnaires assessed eating behaviours, diurnal preference and demographic characteristics. The questionnaire in the Guidelines for the management of obesity disease issued by the Japan Society for the Study of Obesity was used to obtain scores for the levels of obesity-related eating behaviours, including cognition of constitution, motivation for eating, eating as a diversion, feeling of satiety, eating style, meal contents and temporal eating patterns. The Japanese version of the Morningness–Eveningness (ME) questionnaire was used to measure self-rated preference for the degree to which people prefer to be active in the morning or the evening (ME).ResultsThe scores for meal contents and temporal eating patterns in rotating shift workers were significantly higher than those in day workers. The ME score of rotating shift workers was significantly lower, indicating greater eveningness/less morningness among rotating shift workers. Multivariate linear regression revealed that the ME score was significantly negatively associated with temporal eating patterns and showed a negative association with the score for meal contents at a trend level, while current work shift was not significantly correlated with the scores.ConclusionsThese results suggest that eating behaviours for rotating shift workers are associated with a more unbalanced diet and abnormal temporal eating patterns and that the associations may be explained by diurnal preference rather than by rotating shift work.

People with a low-decreasing aging trajectory in higher-level functional capacity had higher risks of death and had high monthly total costs.