Japanese Female University Students Research Articles

Association between Menstruation-Related Symptoms and the Type of Stress in Japanese Female University Students: A Prospective Cohort Study from Admission to the Second Year

Association between Menstruation-Related Symptoms and the Type of Stress in Japanese Female University Students: A Prospective Cohort Study from Admission to the Second Year

Adipose tissue insulin resistance index was inversely associated with gluteofemoral fat and skeletal muscle mass in Japanese women

Associations of adipose tissue insulin resistance index (AT-IR, a product of fasting insulin and free fatty acids) with body fat mass and distribution and appendicular skeletal muscle mass (ASM) were compared with results of homeostasis-model assessment-insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) in 284 Japanese female university students and 148 their biological mothers whose BMI averaged < 23 kg/m2. Although mothers compared with daughters had higher BMI, body fat percentage, trunk fat to body fat (TF/BF) ratio and lower leg fat to body fat (LF/BF), AT-IR and HOMA-IR did not differ. We had multivariable linear regression analyses which included TF/BF ratio, LF/BF ratio, weight-adjusted ASM (%ASM), height-adjusted ASM index (ASMI), fat mass index (FMI), and body fat percentage. In young women, AT-IR was independently associated with LF/BF ratio (Standardized β [Sβ]: − 0.139, p = 0.019) and ASMI (Sβ: − 0.167, p = 0.005). In middle-aged women, LF/BF ratio (Sβ: − 0.177, p = 0.049) and %ASM (Sβ: − 0.205, p = 0.02) emerged as independent determinants of AT-IR. HOMA-IR was associated with TF/BF ratio and FMI, a proxy of abdominal and general adiposity, respectively, in both young and middle-aged women. The inverse association of AT-IR with leg fat may support the notion that limited peripheral adipose storage capacity and small skeletal muscle size are important etiological components in insulin-resistant cardiometabolic disease in Japanese women.

Associations of adipose insulin resistance index with leg (gluteofemoral) fat (inverse) and serum alanine aminotransferase (positive) in young Japanese women

AimAssociations of the adipose tissue insulin resistance index (AT-IR, a product of fasting insulin and free fatty acid) with body fat distribution and the ratio of alanine to aspartate aminotransferase (ALT/AST), a marker of hepatosteatosis, were examined in the context of the metabolic syndrome. MethodsLegs, the trunk and body fat by DXA, blood pressure (BP) and blood chemistry were measured in 284 young Japanese female university students and 148 middle-aged biological mothers whose BMI averaged <23 kg/m2. ResultsYoung women had higher leg fat/body fat and lower trunk fat/body fat ratio (both p < 0.001) compared with middle-aged women but AT-IR did not differ between the two groups. We had multivariable linear regression analysis for AT-IR as a dependent variable including leg fat/body fat ratio, trunk fat/body fat ratio, fasting glucose, triglyceride, HDL cholesterol and systolic BP as independent variables. Leg fat/body fat ratio, fasting glucose and triglyceride (p = 0.013, 0.009 and 0.016, respectively) emerged as determinants of AT-IR in young women. Trunk fat/body fat ratio and fasting glucose (p = 0.003 and 0.019, respectively) emerged in middle-aged women. In a model which included ALT/AST as an additional independent variable, ALT/AST (p = 0.016) was the fourth independent determinant in young women and the single determinant of AT-IR in middle-aged women (p < 0.001). ConclusionIn young Japanese women, adipose tissue insulin resistance was associated with reduced leg fat, a subtle partial lipodystrophy-like phenotype associated with reduced adipose tissue expandability. It was associated with elevated trunk (abdominal) fat in middle-aged women and with ALT/AST, a marker of hepatosteatosis, in two groups of Japanese women, suggesting ectopic fat deposition associated with reduced adipose tissue expandability.

Associations of body composition with physical activity, nutritional intake status, and chronotype among female university students in Japan

BackgroundHaving higher muscle mass in early adulthood is an important factor in preventing sarcopenia. However, university students undergo lifestyle changes compared to their high school years, which may lead to changes in body composition, such as an increase in body fat and a decrease in muscle mass. The study aimed to investigate the association between body composition and lifestyle behaviors, including chronotype, among Japanese female university students, due to the prevalence of underweight among young females in the country.MethodsThe physical activity level (PAL), daily dietary intake status, morningness-eveningness questionnaire (MEQ) score, and body composition of 230 students were assessed in this cross-sectional study. Body composition was measured using a multifrequency bioelectrical impedance analyzer, and body mass index (BMI), body fat percentage (%BF), and skeletal muscle mass index (SMI) were determined.ResultsIndividuals who were evening type (ET) had a higher %BF and lower SMI than those who were non-ET, but no differences in body weight or BMI were found. Although ET individuals had lower total energy intake, protein intake, and PALs than non-ETs, the differences were small. However, multiple regression analyses showed that SMI was significantly positively associated with MEQ and PAL, and %BF was significantly negatively associated with MEQ and PAL.ConclusionThese results suggest that female university students with lateness of chronotype and low physical activity have a body composition imbalance resulting in higher body fat and lower muscle mass. Therefore, young females may need to take chronotype-specific measures (especially ET individuals) to help them maintain an appropriate body composition.

Underweight in young Japanese women over time: a longitudinal retrospective study of the change in body mass index from ages 6 to 20 years

Background The high prevalence of underweight in young women has become a serious health problem in Japan. When and how young women reach a low body mass index (BMI) has not been clarified. Aim To clarify the characteristics of BMI standard deviation scores (BMI SDS) trajectory of young Japanese women with underweight. Subjects and methods A total of 601 Japanese female university students aged 20 years were classified into underweight and healthy weight groups. Their school health check-up data were available from the ages of 6 to 20 years. We evaluated the estimated mean values of BMI SDS at each age and differences in BMI SDS (ΔBMI SDS) from 6 years to each age using a mixed-effects model and compared between the two groups at each age. Results In the underweight group, the BMI SDS at every age (−1.67 to −0.91) and the ΔBMI SDS after 16 years of age (−0.76 to −0.38) were significantly lower than those in the healthy weight group (−0.41 to −0.13, −0.07 to 0.04), respectively. Conclusion Young Japanese women with underweight have at least two characteristics of BMI SDS trajectory: being constitutionally underweight and shifting their weight status from baseline towards underweight in their late teens.

Associations between Shokuiku during School Years, Well-Balanced Diets, and Eating and Lifestyle Behaviours in Japanese Females Enrolled in a University Registered Dietitian Course.

This study comprehensively examined the associations between shokuiku (food and nutrition education) during school years, current well-balanced diets, and current eating and lifestyle behaviours of Japanese female university students. A hypothetical model was developed using factors potentially associated with well-balanced diets. A simultaneous multipopulational analysis was performed according to the living arrangements of 148 female Japanese students (48.6% living alone) from a registered dietitian course. The analysis showed acceptable goodness of fit and a significant positive path from shokuiku during school years (living alone: standardised estimate 0.29, p = 0.004; with family: 0.32, p = 0.006) and a negative path from eating out frequency (-0.19, p = 0.039; -0.24, p = 0.017) towards a well-balanced diet. A significant negative path was identified from late bedtimes (-0.45, p < 0.001) and home meal replacement use frequency (-0.24, p = 0.010) in those living alone and from late-night snacking frequency (-0.27, p = 0.007) in those living with family. Well-balanced diets in female university students may be positively associated with shokuiku during school years and limited by a late bedtime, eating out, and home meal replacement use in those living alone, and by late-night snacking and eating out in those living with family.

Autistic traits and speech perception in social and non-social noises

Individuals with the autism spectrum disorder (ASD) experience difficulties in perceiving speech in background noises with temporal dips; they also lack social orienting. We tested two hypotheses: (1) the higher the autistic traits, the lower the performance in the speech-in-noise test, and (2) individuals with high autistic traits experience greater difficulty in perceiving speech, especially in the non-vocal noise, because of their attentional bias toward non-vocal sounds. Thirty-eight female Japanese university students participated in an experiment measuring their ability to perceive speech in the presence of noise. Participants were asked to detect Japanese words embedded in vocal and non-vocal background noises with temporal dips. We found a marginally significant effect of autistic traits on speech perception performance, suggesting a trend that favors the first hypothesis. However, caution is needed in this interpretation because the null hypothesis is not rejected. No significant interaction was found between the types of background noise and autistic traits, indicating that the second hypothesis was not supported. This might be because individuals with high autistic traits in the general population have a weaker attentional bias toward non-vocal sounds than those with ASD or to the explicit instruction given to attend to the target speech.

Efficacy of an eHealth self-management program in reducing irritable bowel syndrome symptom severity: a randomized controlled trial

This study aimed to verify whether an eHealth-based self-management program can reduce irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) symptom severity. An open-label simple randomized controlled trial was conducted that compared an intervention group (n = 21) participating in an eHealth self-management program, which involved studying IBS-related information from an established self-help guide followed by in-built quizzes, with a treatment-as-usual group (n = 19) that, except for pharmacotherapy, had no treatment restrictions. Participants were female Japanese university students. The eHealth group received unlimited access to the self-management program for 8 weeks on computers and mobile devices. The primary outcome, participants’ severity of IBS symptoms assessed using the IBS-severity index (IBS-SI), and the secondary outcomes of participants’ quality of life, gut bacteria, and electroencephalography alpha and beta power percentages were measured at baseline and 8 weeks. A significant difference was found in the net change in IBS-SI scores between the eHealth and treatment-as-usual groups, and the former had significantly lower IBS-SI scores following the 8-week intervention than at baseline. Moreover, there was a significant difference in the net change in phylum Cyanobacteria between the eHealth and treatment-as-usual groups. Thus, the eHealth-based self-management program successfully reduced the severity of IBS symptoms.

Knowledge-based Estimation of the Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on Changes in Japanese Youths' Self-Consciousness about Their Face and Body Images

The outbreak of COVID-19 has caused significant alterations in the lives of Japanese university students. These changes include the shift to online lectures and imposing limitations on extracurricular activities. This study investigates whether there are variations in how male and female Japanese university students perceive their appearance during the pandemic. The author surveyed 428 Japanese university students. The author analyzed the data to assess whether there were changes in their self-perceptions of appearance during the pandemic. Our findings indicate that there are significant differences between genders regarding facial and body image perceptions at a 5% level of significance (p < .05, p = .00, .01). The reasons for these gender-based differences can be attributed to the use of web conferencing tools and the wearing of masks, which have impacted the students' self-consciousness about their appearance.

Continuous Glucose Monitoring (CGM) in Healthy Japanese Female University Students Showed Early Morning Lower Sensor Glucose Values.

In this study, Continuous Glucose Monitoring, a 24-h continuous sensor measurement of the glucose level, was performed on 35 female university students in their 20s. The results showed that 51.4% of the subjects had at least one episode of low sensor glucose level <54 mg/dL during the entire measurement period. This severe low glucose level condition was defined as lower sensor glucose values and it tended to occur more frequently during the early morning hours, especially from 3:00 am to 7:00 am. There were no significant differences in the BMI, the average number of steps, the total energy intake, the energy ratio of proteins, fats, or carbohydrates, or the alcohol intake between the lower sensor glucose values occurrence and the non-lower sensor glucose values occurrence groups. In regard to the early morning lower sensor glucose values observed in healthy female university students, we consider that further studies are required.

The Changes in Menstrual and Menstrual-Related Symptoms among Japanese Female University Students: A Prospective Cohort Study from Three Months to Nine Months after Admission.

Menstrual and menstrual-related symptoms can significantly impact an individual's physical and psychological health. Understanding how these symptoms evolve over time is crucial to provide appropriate support and healthcare services to young women. This study aimed to investigate changes in menstrual and menstrual-related symptoms among first-year female university students. A prospective longitudinal design was used to compare the symptom profiles between two time points (three and nine months after admission). Out of 100 female university students, 30 responses were analyzed. Data on menstrual and menstrual-related symptoms were collected using standardized questionnaires focusing on menstrual status and the Menstrual Distress Questionnaire (MDQ); no notable changes occurred between the time points. Approximately half reported having irregular menstruation during the three time periods. Among the sub-scales, premenstrual "impaired concentration" showed a tendency to be lower, whereas menstrual "water retention" tended to be higher in timepoint 2 compared to timepoint 1. "Distractible" was found to be significantly lower in timepoint 2 compared to timepoint 1. There was a significant association between a sleep duration of <7 h and worsened MDQ scores. These findings may underscore the importance of providing comprehensive lifestyle and menstrual education to new university students, along with access to appropriate medical care.

The relationship among sleep, resilience, and stress response in Japanese female university students during the COVID-19 pandemic.

We examined the effect of sleep and resilience on stress responses in female Japanese university students during the COVID-19 pandemic. Sleep was measured using the Japanese version of the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI-J), stress response was evaluated using the Stress Response Scale-18 (SRS-18), and resilience using the Resilience Scale for Students (RS-S). Multiple regression analysis showed that approximately 40% of the SRS-18 score could be explained by PSQI-J score and RS-S score. Subjective sleep quality, daytime dysfunction, and global score of PSQI-J had direct influences on SRS-18.

Serum 5-Methyltetrahydrofolate Status Is Associated with One-Carbon Metabolism-Related Metabolite Concentrations and Enzyme Activity Indicators in Young Women.

Maintaining optimal one-carbon metabolism (OCM) is essential for health and pregnancy. In this cross-sectional study, folate status was assessed based on 5-methyltetrahydrofolate (5-MTHF) levels, and the association between 5-MTHF and OCM-related metabolites was investigated in 227 female Japanese university students aged 18-25 years. The participants were divided into high and low 5-MTHF groups based on their folate status. Serum samples of the participants were collected while they were fasting, and 18 OCM-related metabolites were measured using stable-isotope dilution liquid chromatography-electrospray tandem mass spectrometry. The association between serum 5-MTHF and OCM-related metabolite concentrations was assessed using Spearman's rank correlation coefficient. Serum 5-MTHF concentrations were negatively correlated with total homocysteine (tHcy) concentrations and positively correlated with S-adenosylmethionine (SAM) and total cysteine (tCys) concentrations. Serum 5-MTHF concentrations demonstrated a stronger negative correlation with tHcy/tCys than with tHcy alone. The negative correlation between betaine and tHcy concentrations was stronger in the low 5-MTHF group than in the high 5-MTHF group. The 5-MTHF status could be linked to Hcy flux into the transsulfuration pathway via SAM. Therefore, the tHcy/tCys ratio may be a more sensitive indicator of the 5-MTHF status than tHcy alone. Furthermore, a low 5-MTHF status can enhance Hcy metabolism via betaine.

Association between serum leptin concentrations and homeostasis model assessment-insulin resistance of 2.5 and higher in normal weight Japanese women

Normal weight insulin resistant phenotype was characterized in 251 Japanese female university students using homeostasis model assessment-insulin resistance. Birth weight, body composition at age 20, cardiometabolic traits and dietary intake were compared cross-sectionally between insulin sensitive (< 1.6, n = 194) and insulin resistant (2.5 and higher, n = 16) women. BMI averaged < 21 kg/m2 and waist < 72 cm and did not differ between two groups. The percentage of macrosomia and serum absolute and fat-mass corrected leptin concentrations were higher in insulin resistant women although there was no difference in birth weight, fat mass index, trunk/leg fat ratio and serum adiponectin. In addition, resting pulse rate, serum concentrations of free fatty acids, triglycerides and remnant-like particle cholesterol were higher in insulin resistant women although HDL cholesterol and blood pressure did not differ. In multivariate logistic regression analyses, serum leptin (odds ratio:1.68, 95% confidential interval:1.08–2.63, p = 0.02) was associated with normal weight insulin resistance independently of macrosomia, free fatty acids, triglycerides, remnant-like particle cholesterol and resting pulse rate. In conclusion, normal weight IR phenotype may be associated with increased plasma leptin concentrations and leptin to fat mass ratio in young Japanese women, suggesting higher leptin production by body fat unit.

Developing a Scale to Measure Sense of Resistance to Azatoi Behavior

The main purpose of the present study is to develop a scale measuring the sense of resistance to azatoi behavior in female Japanese university students. The participants in this study were 114 Japanese female university students and 18 items were rated. First, the factor structure of the Azatoi Behavior Resistance Scale (ABRS) was investigated using exploratory factor analysis. Then, the validity of the structure was examined using confirmatory factor analysis. The result of the analysis showed that the fit indices indicated the best fit for the four-factor model, and the four factors were gesture, physical contact, adjustment, and typical behavior.

Association between Nutritional Intake Status and Appendicular Muscle Mass in Female University Students with a High Physical Activity Level*

This study investigated the association between nutritional intake and indices of muscle mass or strength in 104 female Japanese university students who participated in sports activities during their junior and senior high school periods and had a high current physical activity level (PAL). Body composition was measured by the bioelectrical impedance method, and appendicular muscle mass (AMM) and skeletal muscle mass index (SMI) were evaluated as muscle mass. PAL was estimated using a factorial method and nutritional intake status was investigated using a food frequency questionnaire based on food groups (FFQg). Grip strength was measured as an index of muscle strength. According to the criteria for diagnosis of sarcopenia, four of the participants had low muscle mass and one also had low grip strength. Although there were no significant differences in body size or grip strength between participants with a high versus low SMI, participants with a low SMI had a significantly higher percentage of body fat (27.7 ± 4.7% vs. 23.3 ± 4.1%), and significantly lower AMM (16.0 ± 1.4 kg vs. 20.6 ± 1.5 kg), total energy intake (1770.4 ± 386.5 kcal/d vs. 2017.1 ± 389.9 kcal/d), and protein intake (57.3 ± 15.0 g/d vs. 67.0 ± 14.2 g/d), as well as a tendency to have a significantly lower carbohydrate intake (239.6 ± 49.3 g/d vs. 268.1 ± 54.4 g/d), than those with a high SMI. These results indicate that even some female university students with a high PAL have a lower muscle mass and might have a low dietary intake, mainly protein and carbohydrate. The results of multiple regression analysis of AMM, SMI, or grip strength with PAL and nutrient intake revealed that PAL and total energy intake or protein intake were significantly and positively associated with muscle mass and strength. These results suggest that a high PAL as well as total energy intake and protein intake among the macronutrients contribute to high muscle mass and muscle strength in young women.

Effects of visual stimulation using wooden-wall images with different amounts of knots on psychological and physiological responses

Wood is an important material used in decorating human living environment. Knots are prominent features found on wood surface. Moreover, they are commonly considered as undesirable surface defects, which reduce not only the mechanical properties but also the aesthetic qualities of lumber. The effects of visual stimulation using knotty wood on psychological responses among humans have been relatively well investigated. However, only few studies have assessed physiological responses. Hence, the present study aimed to assess whether knotty wood surface can reduce not only psychological but also physiological benefits for humans. Two full-sized knotty wooden-wall images and a clear wooden-wall image were used as visual stimuli using computer graphics techniques. Twenty-eight adult Japanese female university students viewed each image for 90 s in random order. During exposure to the visual stimuli, the oxyhemoglobin concentrations in the left and right prefrontal cortex and heart rate variability were consecutively measured and utilized as indicators of central and autonomic nervous system activities, respectively. In addition, the psychological effects of knotty images were examined using the modified semantic differential method and the Profile of Mood State 2nd Edition. There was no significant difference in the effects of the three images on physiological responses. All visual stimuli more or less promoted psychological comfort and relaxation. However, compared with the clear wooden-wall image, the wooden-wall image with several knots was associated with reduced psychological benefits, and the psychological responses in viewing the wooden-wall image with few knots did not remarkably differ.

Association of eating habits and Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes ratio among Japanese female university students: A cross-sectional study.

Background & Aims: University students are prone to changes in their health status and lifestyle due to changes in their living environment and associated stress and anxiety. These changes may affect them in later life. This study utilized a cross-sectional study among Japanese female university students to examine dietary factors affecting their fecal microbiota. Methods: Sixty-eight healthy female university students were evaluated using an eating behavior assessment and diet history questionnaire. The 12-component Japanese diet index (JDI-12) was then calculated. A quantitative real-time PCR method was used to analyze the predominant bacterial species in the gut, and the Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes ratio (F/B ratio) at the phylum level was calculated. The partial correlation between the fecal microbiota and eating behavior abnormality score was assessed, and dietary habits associated with the F/B ratio were analyzed. Results: A significant correlation was identified between F/B ratios and the eating behavior abnormality score (r = 0.26, FDR = 0.064). Additionally, multiple regression analysis identified a negative correlation trend between the F/B ratio and JDI-12 score (β = -0.22; p = 0.091), and exploratory analysis found a negative association between the F/B ratio and consumption of beef and pork, one of the less beneficial JDI-12 components (β = -0.33, FDR = 0.120). Conclusion: In healthy female university students, there was a positive correlation between eating behavior abnormality and the F/B ratio, indicating that adherence to the Japanese diet pattern may be associated with a lower F/B ratio.

The relationship between high physical activity and premenstrual syndrome in Japanese female college students

BackgroundIn recent years, moderate physical activity has attracted the attention of experts and women as a way to cope with premenstrual syndrome (PMS). Studies investigated the effects of exercise on PMS, but only a few reports focused on the relationship between physical activity, which included not only exercise but also routine bodily movements, and PMS. Therefore, the present study investigated the relationship between the amount of physical activity and PMS symptoms among sexually mature female students.MethodsA total of 381 female university students in Japan were surveyed using a paper or web-based questionnaire with the same content. The questionnaire consisted of basic information, PMS symptoms, and physical activity based on the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ). Participants were divided into two groups (≥ 3000 The Metabolic Equivalent of Task (MET)-minutes/week and < 3000 MET-minutes/week) based on their total physical activity as calculated using the IPAQ guidelines. The two groups were then compared in terms of the severity of their PMS physical and psychological symptoms as calculated based on the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists’ PMS diagnostic criteria. The Wilcoxon's rank-sum test was used for statistical analyses. We then divided the participants based on the presence or absence of each symptom and used the chi-square test to compare the intergroup differences in ratios. The statistical significance level was set at p < 0.05.ResultsThose with total physical activity of ≥ 3000 MET-minutes/week had lower total PMS symptom scores (p < 0.01), physical symptom scores (p = 0.01), and psychological symptom scores (p = 0.01) compared with those with total physical activity of < 3000 MET-minutes/week.ConclusionThese results suggest that young women with high physical activity (≥ 3000 MET-minutes/week) have milder symptoms of PMS.Supplementary InformationThe online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13102-022-00569-0.

Mediating role of sensory differences in the relationship between autistic traits and internalizing problems

BackgroundSensory differences are related to the autistic traits, and previous studies have shown a positive correlation between sensory differences and internalizing problems. In this study, we hypothesized that sensory differences and suffering due to sensory differences mediates the relationships between autistic traits and internalizing problems.MethodsA total of 346 female Japanese university students completed questionnaires regarding their autistic traits, suffering due to sensory differences, and internalizing problems. Moreover, 114 participants completed a questionnaire related to sensory differences.ResultsAutistic traits were correlated with Low Registration and Sensation Avoiding. These sensory differences were also correlated with suffering due to sensory differences and internalizing problems. Moreover, path analysis indicated that the higher the suffering due to Low Registration and Sensation Avoiding was, the greater the internalizing problems in those who showed these sensory differences.ConclusionsFemale university students with serious suffering due to sensory differences may need support in managing their suffering and internalizing problems. Further research will help suggest support that these people require, at school and elsewhere.