Personal space and aging in Japanese adults: The role of demographics and sensory function

A study of 108 elderly persons using the Body Distortion Questionnaire and the personal space simulation technique test did not support hypotheses that elderly persons with a large personal space will have a larger distortion of body boundary, a larger perception of large body size, a smaller perception of small body size, a larger distortion of body size, and a larger body distortion than elderly persons with a small personal space. The analyses with one-tail t tests showed elderly persons with a small personal space have a larger perception of large body size and a larger distortion of body size than elderly persons with a large personal space. When the extremes of personal space were used the results were the same. Males have a larger personal space and greater distortion of skin perceptions than females.

Individuals maintain a spatial margin or 'personal space' between themselves and others. The form of this space and strategies for avoiding obstacles can be influenced by participant characteristics such as age. In this study, we investigated the characteristics of personal space and obstacle avoidance strategies in young and older adults. We also examined differences in perceptual personal space and walking trajectory during obstacle avoidance using a three-dimensional motion capture system. Methods Ten young adults and ten older adults participated in this study. We calculated actual obstacle avoidance trajectory and obstacle avoidance data such as the lateral spatial margin and body rotation angle during walking in a task that included obstacle avoidance. We also measured the perceptual personal space created by approaching a confederate. In order to calculate each personal space and obstacle avoidance data, we used a three-dimensional motion capture system. Two factors (two groups and personal space) of repeated analysis of variance were used in statistical analysis. Results We found no age-related differences in personal space or obstacle avoidance strategy in this study (F = 0.52, p = 0.48). However, we found significant differences in the form of perceptual personal space and personal space formed during obstacle avoidance (F = 11.86, p = 0.0030). Conclusion This study indicates that perceptual personal space did not reflect the walking trajectory created by actual obstacle avoidance. In addition, age did not influence the obstacle avoidance strategy. These results suggest that the perceptual personal space and aging have little effect in the situation of avoiding a single standing pedestrian.

Knowledge about old age and aging in Japanese urban adults aged 30 to 59 years was measured by Palmore's Facts on Aging Quiz. Educational background significantly related to the level of knowledge. However, age, sex, and co-residence with elderly parents were not related to knowledge. Comparison between average percent errorpositive and average percent error-negative revealed the fact that negative misconceptions about old age and aging are commonly held by Japanese adults.

This cross-sectional study aimed to examine the associations among self-reported sitting time (ST), transtheoretical model (TTM) based on exercise behavior change, and glycemic and weight control in Japanese adults with type 1 diabetes (T1D). Forty-two adults (age, 44.0 (33.3–56.8) years) with uncomplicated T1D answered questions regarding their lifestyles, including ST per day, and TTM using self-administered questionnaires. The glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) level correlated with age and ST (p < 0.05, p < 0.01, respectively), whereas body mass index correlated with duration of T1D and TTM (p < 0.05, p < 0.01, respectively). Logistic regression analysis showed that poor glycemic control (HbA1c, >7%) was associated with ST (odds ratio, 3.53 (95% confidence interval, 1.54–8.11), p < 0.01). In addition, the cut-off points for quartiles of ST were 4.6, 6.0, and 8.0 h/day, and the HbA1c level in the lowest quartile was 15% lower than that in the highest quartile (p < 0.01). Although further studies with larger samples are needed, these results implied that expanded self-reported ST might be related to poor glycemic control in Japanese T1D adults, most of whom were lean, young and middle-aged, regardless of TTM based on exercise behavior change.

Dietary salt intake increases with age in Japanese adults

Audition and Cognition: Where Lab Meets Clinic

BackgroundAmong the more than 300 mycotoxins that are known to have toxic effects on animals and humans, Fusarium toxins deoxynivalenol (DON), T-2 and HT-2 toxins (T2/HT2), and zearalenone (ZEN) are frequently detected in domestic agricultural products. This study aimed to assess DON, T2/HT2, and ZEN exposure in Japanese adults by measuring urinary mycotoxins, observing their distributions, and making comparisons with data from other countries.MethodsA total of 201 individuals participated in the study. Twenty-four-hour urine samples were collected from young adults (34 men and 35 women) in the Tokai region (urban area) and spot urine samples were collected from middle-aged and elderly adults (64 men and 68 women) in the Donan area of Hokkaido Prefecture (rural area). Urinary DON, T2/HT2, and ZEN levels were measured using a validated liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry method.ResultsFor DON, T2/HT2, and ZEN, the detection frequencies above the limit of detection (LOD) level (0.15, 0.13, and 0.01 µg/L, respectively) in all the samples were 53%, 26%, and 71%, respectively. The median concentrations (95th percentile) of urinary DON, HT2, and ZEN were 0.19 (3.93), <LOD (0.55), and 0.02 (0.12) µg/L, respectively. Although at least one of the investigated mycotoxins was detected in the urine of 86% of study participants, the concentrations were similar to or lower than those found in other countries (from 19 reports within the past decade). Moreover, the probable daily intake (PDI) values in the present study were lower than the provisional maximum tolerable daily intake levels. The urinary mycotoxin levels did not significantly differ with respect to sex, age, or occupation.ConclusionsThis study represents the first comprehensive exposure assessment for DON, T2/HT2, and ZEN in Japanese adults using human biomonitoring methods. These data provide valuable information for a better understanding of mycotoxin exposure in Japan.Supplementary informationThe online version contains supplementary material available at https://doi.org/10.1265/ehpm.24-00245.

In order to be able to take preventative measures early in life against the development of atherosclerosis, it is important to evaluate profiles of subclinical atherosclerosis, especially among young adults. We screened plasma homocysteine levels, highly sensitive C-reactive protein levels and carotid intima-media thickness in young and elderly adults. Among both young and elderly adults, plasma homocysteine and highly sensitive C-reactive protein were significantly lower in females than in males. Highly sensitive C-reactive protein was significantly lower in young adults than in elderly adults, and homocysteine was lower (but not significantly) in young adults than in elderly adults. Among young adults, mean carotid intima-media thickness was lower (but not significantly) in females than in males. Among elderly adults, mean carotid intima-media thickness was significantly lower in females than in males. Among both males and females, mean carotid intima-media thickness was significantly higher in elderly adults than in young adults. These results demonstrate basic profiles of atherosclerosis markers in young and elderly Japanese adults. Further study is needed to evaluate measures developed for application in early adulthood to prevent atherosclerosis.

We examined the relationship between age and self-reported verbal deception strategies in Japanese adults. Japanese participants (N = 153) aged 18 to 73 years took part in this study. We requested the participants to state their age and freely describe how they structure their speech to appear convincing when lying during their daily interactions. We extracted 13 verbal strategies from the participants’ open-ended descriptions. Japan is a high-context culture. The results indicated that 11 categories corresponded to the verbal strategies reported in previous studies on lying conducted in low-context cultures. However, two strategies mentioned in the current study, making ambiguous statements and adding irrelevant details to the lie, were not reported in low-context cultures. As expected, age was significantly and negatively correlated with the number of verbal strategies used when lying. Moreover, verbal strategies that seem relatively cognitive demanding were used less as the age of the participants increased. We concluded that these results reflected the age-related decline of cognitive abilities.

We aimed to compare the level of physical function (PF) and habitual exercise between older Japanese and Korean adults. A comparative study was carried out on 1069 community-dwelling older Japanese and Korean adults (mean age 73.9 ± 5.2 years). The participants were asked to complete a self-reported questionnaire regarding habitual exercise and covariates. PF age, a composite measure of PF, was derived from the 12 items, using principal component analysis. PF age and habitual exercise were compared between the Japanese and Korean adults, using analysis of covariance (ancova) and multivariable logistic regression analysis adjusted for all covariates using propensity scores. ancova showed that PF age in older Japanese adults was significantly younger than in their Korean counterparts. Older Japanese adults exercised significantly less frequently than their Korean counterparts. Furthermore, older Japanese adults practiced significantly less walking, mountain climbing and bicycling, but more calisthenics, resistance training, ball games and dances than their Korean counterparts. We found that older Korean adults had lower PF (3.7 years older in PF age) than their Japanese counterparts. Although the overall frequency and amount of habitual exercise in older Korean adults were higher than those in their Japanese counterparts, particular types of exercise might have contributed to the higher PF levels among older Japanese adults. Thus, older Korean adults might need to engage more in habitual exercises that are specifically effective in maintaining PF. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2018; 18: 576-583.

Although many studies have reported that a posteriori dietary pattern is associated with metabolic health, there is little evidence of an association between dietary patterns and different metabolic phenotypes. The present study aimed to examine the association between major dietary patterns and different metabolic phenotypes (metabolically healthy non-obese [MHNO], metabolically unhealthy non-obese [MUNO], metabolically healthy obese [MHO], and metabolically unhealthy obese [MUO]) in middle-aged and elderly Japanese adults. This cross-sectional study enrolled 2,170 Japanese adults aged ≥40 years. The four different metabolic phenotypes were determined based on the presence of obesity, abdominal obesity, hypertension, hyperglycemia, and dyslipidemia. The major dietary patterns were determined using principal component analysis based on energy-adjusted food intake. Two dietary patterns were identified: the healthy dietary pattern, which was characterized by a high intake of vegetables, fruits, potatoes, soy products, mushrooms, seaweeds, and fish; and the alcohol dietary pattern, which was characterized by a high intake of alcoholic beverages, liver, chicken, and fish. The healthy dietary pattern was associated with the MHNO and MHO phenotypes (MUNO and MUO as reference groups, respectively), and the multivariate-adjusted odds ratios (ORs) (95% confidence intervals [CIs]) in the highest quartile of healthy dietary pattern score with the lowest quartile as the reference category were 2.10 (1.40–3.15) and 1.86 (1.06–3.25), respectively. Conversely, the alcohol dietary pattern was inversely associated with the MHNO and MHO phenotypes, while the multivariate-adjusted ORs (95% CIs) in the highest quartile of the alcohol dietary pattern score with the lowest quartile as the reference category were 0.63 (0.42–0.94) and 0.45 (0.26–0.76), respectively. There were no significant interactions between sex and healthy/alcohol dietary patterns in the prevalence of the MHNO and MHO phenotypes. In conclusion, the present study's findings suggest that major dietary patterns are associated with different metabolic phenotypes in middle-aged and elderly Japanese adults. These findings provide useful evidence for maintaining metabolic health through diet regardless of obesity status.

Validity of predictive equations for resting metabolic rate in healthy older adults

Sensory Functioning in Older Adults: Relevance for Food Preference.

Cardiovascular risk scores estimate arterial thrombotic risk in aging adults with hemophilia in the ADVANCE Japan cohort.

The common cause hypothesis of the relationship among age, sensory measures, and cognitive measures in very old adults was reevaluated. Both sensory function and processing speed were evaluated as mediators of the relationship between age and cognitive function. Cognitive function was a latent variable that comprised 3 factors including memory, speed, and verbal ability. The sample was population based and comprised very old adults (n = 894; mean age = 77.7, SD = 5.6 years) from the Australian Longitudinal Study of Ageing. The results showed that there was common variance in the cognitive factor shared by age, speed, vision, and hearing but that specific effects of age on cognition remained. Furthermore, speed did not fully mediate the effect of age or sensory function on cognition. Some age differences in cognitive performance are not explained by the same processes that explain age differences in sensory function and processing speed.