S-36-4: STRATEGY OF HEALTH PROMOTION FOR HEALTH AND LONGEVITY IN OKINAWA, JAPAN

Abstract

Okinawa was known as an area of longevity. The life expectance kept always top ranks in Japan, and centenarians kept their healthy and vigorous lives. In recent 10 years, however, their life expectancy of people did not increase as much as other areas in Japan. From epidemiological evidence, an increased intakes of fat after World War II (late 1940 s) and that of salt after the reversion to Japan after 1972 are considered as major causes. To recover health and longevity in Okinawa, we, team of University of the Ryukyus, designed, and then carried out the health promotion program. Main strategy to learn from old healthy Okinawa, namely healthy food and rich social capital. We campaigned to increase intake of vegetables including local Okinawan vegetables. We also promoted the health literacy through relationships with family and with neighbors. Such interventions decreased body weight of obese residents and increased vegetable intake. We also found that the promotion worked more effectively in an area where the social capital was rich. We are now accumulating evidence whether our approach is effective or not.