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Objectives: This study examines the countermeasures taken by restaurants to prevent passive smoking and the impact of smoking prohibition on both the number of customers and sales volume in restaurants., Methods: An interview-based survey was administered to 8,558 restaurant managers in Aichi prefecture. The survey questions concerned the countermeasures taken against passive smoking within each restaurant and the effect of the prohibition of smoking on both the number of customers and sales volume between November 1, 2009, and February 26, 2010., Results: Seven thousand and eighty managers responded to the survey (response rate 83%). The proportion of managers of restaurants with a complete smoking ban was 16.4%, of restaurants with a smoking and non-smoking room or section was 20.2%, and of restaurants where no countermeasures were taken was 63.4%. The results showed that among the restaurants with a complete smoking ban, the number of customers and sales volume increased in 1.5%, decreased in 3.9%, and did not change in 95%. Differences in countermeasures were seen according to the type of restaurant. A high proportion of restaurants with a complete ban were curry shops and fast food restaurants, while few such restaurants were bars or Izakaya (Japanese style bars) and Yakiniku (Korean style BBQ) restaurants., Conclusion: The results of this large-scale survey in Aichi prefecture suggest that the economic impact of smoking prohibition in restaurants, in terms of the number of customers and sales volume, is small.

Circulatory system examinations performed on first-grade pupils of junior high schools (12 years old; N = 1,204), identified 105 high-risk pupils with arteriosclerosis-promoting factors. These pupils were consulted on life-style modification, emphasizing nutrition and exercise, and encouraged to practice personal health management and self-monitoring. Reduction and correction of high risk factors were studied in these subjects, based on review of results of health examinations performed regularly up to the time of their graduation. Results are as follows: 1. Averages for obesity grade (for both sexes) in the second and the third years were significantly lower than that in the first year. Based on a general reference value > or = 20%, improvements were observed in 22.5% of males and 50.0% of females. 2. In both sexes average total cholesterol (TC) and triglyceride (TG) were lower in the second and the third years than in the first year, and a significant increase in HDL cholesterol was seen. With regard to a general reference value > or = 3.0 for AI (Atherogenic Index) calculated using TC and HDL cholesterol, improvements (reduction) were observed in 29.4%, of males and 46.2% of females. 3. While the numbers of subjects with elevated SBP, DBP, GPT, FPG and BUN were few, there were significant decreases in averages in the second and third years compared with those in the first year. Using general reference values, improvements in these risks were seen in 100% for all values except for GPT where 75.0% showed improvement. 4. Comparison of grouped distribution of summed values of examination results between the first year and the third year, showed improvements (reduction and correction of risks) in 69 pupils (65.7%), while 30 pupils (28.6%) remained in the same group with no improvement and 6 pupils (5.7%) turned for the worse, dropping one rank.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

A significant number of youth have obesity, hypertension, hypercholesterolemia and diabetes mellitus which are major risk factors for C.V.D and I.H.D. and which frequently occur after maturity. Analysis of lifestyle factors show a strong relationship between a series of these factors, and life style practices as typified by time-saving, dietary practice such as convenience foods, insufficient exercises, as well as family history of C.V.D. Prompt establish next of a system for screening high risk children with these factors and a corresponding support system for guiding and instructing them, is indicated. Studies should be performed from the viewpoint of life-cycle health management for establishing an integrated examination system for circulatory diseases for screening to follow-up.

Causes and risk factors of deaths from subacute myelo-optico neuropathy (SMON) were studied in a prospective cohort of 4,329 SMON patients followed for 3 years and 7 months (Sept. 1985-March 1989) with the following findings: (1) Recent excess deaths of SMON patients was estimated as 4% from ratio of O/E (SMR = 104) and deaths due to SMON itself was 6.4%. (2) The ratio of O/E was significantly higher for deaths from cancer of colon/rectum in females, cancer of pancreas in males, hypertension in males, pneumonia/influenza in females, chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases in males, tuberculosis and intestinal obstructive disease in males and females. (3) The ratio of O/E was 1.8 times or greater for those SMON patients with complications of cerebrovascular disease, severe blindness, complete loss of ambulation, and who were bedridden, and who are unable to receive home care from family members or trained home helpers.

In order to improve maintenance of weight reduction, a long-term (5 month) weight reduction class for obese women consisting of repeated group learning three times a month in areas of dietary regimen and practice of physical exercise, and self-help group activities was conducted at a health center. Maintenance of achieved weight reduction was studied six months and one year after completion of the class. The results are as follows. 1) Among 30 alumni, percentages of rebound, regaining weight of more than half of reduction during the class, were 18% at six months and 48% at one year after the class. These results appear to indicate the difficulty in maintaining weight loss. 2) However, when changes were studied in terms of fat mass and lean body mass, rebound of fat mass, regaining fat mass of more than half of reduction, was very small--only 5%, through the follow-up periods--while lean body mass increased gradually. These results indicate very good maintenance of fat mass reduction, and from the view point of the objective of weight reduction which is principally fat mass reduction, this objective was supported. 3) The attendees were divided into two groups, diet group and exercise group. There were almost no differences in the follow-up results for weight maintenance between the two groups. This can be attributed to the fact that since the combination of dieting and exercise was emphasized in both groups, with moderate energy restriction and balanced food intake in the dietary regimen and aerobic walking for exercise in addition to the classroom learning, instructions for lifestyle changes were rather similar for both groups.