National Institute For Longevity Sciences, Longitudinal Study Of Aging Research Articles

食事バランスガイドの料理目安量（ＳＶ）情報を含む料理データベースを用いた「食事バランス調査」の妥当性の検討

We developed a foods and dishes database from the data of 3-day weighed dietary records (DR) of 1,071 participants in the National Institute for Longevity Sciences, Longitudinal Study of Aging (NILS-LSA). This database (594 dishes or foods) contained the mean weight, number of servings (SV) for each category of the Japanese Food Guide Spinning Top, and the mean weights of the food and nutrient contents. We applied the food balance questionnaire (FBQ), which could count SV, and estimated the nutritional intake by using the database. FBQ and 1-day DR were produced from 91 volunteers in Aichi Prefecture (35-79 yr), the validity of the nutrient intake assessed by FBQ being checked by 1-day DR. The differences in nutrient intakes by FBQ and 1-day DR, and the differences between quintiles of FBQ and 1-day DR were examined.Mean SV values were 4.3 (grain dishes), 5.6 (vegetable dishes), and 6.1 (fish and meat dishes). Carbohydrate, salt, vitamin B1, and niacin were significantly different between FBQ and 1-day DR. The 65% (salt) to 84% (vitamin C) subjects were categorized in the same or adjacent category. Extreme differences between quintiles were in the 0-3% range. FBQ was proved useful to easily check the diet balance and nutritional intake.

Dietary Supplement Use by Community-living Population in Japan: Data from the National Institute for Longevity Sciences Longitudinal Study of Aging (NILS-LSA)

BACKGROUNDThere are few studies about dietary supplement use and nutrient intake from these products in Japan. The purpose of this study was to clarify (1) the prevalence of dietary supplement use, (2) the characteristics of dietary supplement users, (3) nutrient intake from dietary supplements, and (4) the existence of dietary supplement users who took excessive nutrients from these products.METHODSTo collect the information on dietary supplement use in the previous year and nutrient intake from these products, we conducted a self-administered dietary supplement frequency questionnaire. The subjects were 2,259 people aged 40-82 years. Dietary supplements were grouped into 8 major categories. A dietary supplement database was developed to estimate nutrient intake from these products. Excess users were defined as people who consumed more nutrient than the tolerable upper intake level of the Dietary Reference Intakes for Japanese.RESULTSIn the previous year, 55 % of males and 61 % of females consumed dietary supplements. Dietary supplement use was especially prevalent in females, subjects who felt unhealthy, and subjects who were more careful of maintaining an appropriate weight, though the association was affected by the frequency of dietary supplement use. The most common dietary supplements were drink type in males and vitamins in females. Some nutrient values obtained from dietary supplements were higher than those from food. Excess users were found for intake of vitamin A, B6, K, niacin, iron, and magnesium.CONCLUSIONSIt is important to clarify dietary supplement use and to estimate nutrient intake from these products.

友人との死別が成人期の抑うつに及ぼす影響―年齢および家族サポートの調節効果―

The purpose of this longitudinal study was to examine the moderating effects of age and social support from family members in the relationship between the bereavement of friends and depression. The participants were 1 402 Japanese community-dwelling men and women aged between 40 and 79 years, who had done the baseline and the two-year follow-up surveys of the National Institute for Longevity Sciences-Longitudinal Study of Aging (NILS-LSA). By using hierarchical multiple regression analysis, we detected a significant interaction between age, social support from family members, and the bereavement of friends. Younger participants who were receiving less support from family members after the loss of friends showed significantly higher depression scores.

Interactions between health and psychological changes in Japanese: the NILS‐LSA

A comprehensive longitudinal study would be essential in the analyses of psychological changes. At the National Institute for Longevity Sciences (NILS), a comprehensive longitudinal study of aging in Japan, the NILS Longitudinal Study of Aging (NILS‐LSA) started in November 1997. The participants of this study were 2300 residents aged 40–79 years who were random samples selected from the neighborhood area of the NILS. They were examined every 2 years at the NILS‐LSA Examination Center. From the recent results of the NILS‐LSA, interactions between health and psychological changes including mental effects of disease, relationship between physical health and cognitive function, and association of depression with nutrition and physical activity were shown.

Trends geriatric disease research evaluated by long-term longitudinal study

The number of patients with geriatric diseases will rapidly increase in our aging society. Geriatric diseases tend to progress chronically and disturb the daily activity of the elderly patients. Care for the elderly patients requires a great deal of manpower. The prevention and treatment of geriatric disease are urgent issues that must be addressed. A comprehensive longitudinal study of aging and geriatric disease was started at the National Institute for Longevity Sciences (NILS) in 1997. The participants of the NILS longitudinal study of aging (NILS-LSA) were 2,267 men and women from a local community population. The participants are examined at the NILS and followed up every two years. An outline of the system and examinations of the NILS-LSA is shown. The latest results from the NILS-LSA research including geriatric disease-related genotypes and risk factors for mild cognitive impairment (MCI) are also presented.

Frequencies and circumstances of falls in the National Institute for Longevity Sciences, Longitudinal Study of Aging (NILS-LSA).

Frequencies and circumstances of falls were assessed among 1030 middle-aged and elderly people who participated in the NILS-LSA (National Institute for Longevity Sciences, Longitudinal Study of Aging) from November, 1997 to March, 1999 and responded to the questionnaires. The variables analyzed in the present study were demography and history of falls in the past one year. Circumstances of falls, e.g. time, location, activities associated with falls, cause of falls and degree of injury due to falls were asked when the subjects experienced a fall. Fear of falling was also investigated in all subjects. The prevalence of falls was 12.9% in the middle-aged group (40-59 yr.) and 16.5% in the elderly group (60-79 yr.). The distribution of time, location, activity associated with falls, cause and injury due to falls corresponded with previous fall studies among community-dwelling elderly people. The incidence of falls was extremely high during the daytime and outdoors. Falls occurred most frequently while walking. The majority of falls were due to extrinsic factors. About 40% of all falls caused no injury. As to the fear of falling, about 30% of the middle-aged subjects and about 60% of the elderly subjects reported that they were fearful. Our results suggested that fall accidents are not rare, even in middle-aged people.

Age-related changes in gait velocity and leg extension power in middle-aged and elderly people.

To prevent a decline in gait with age, it is necessary to investigate age-related changes in gait performance and detect related factors. The purpose of this study was to assess the association between gait ability and leg extension power among middle-aged and elderly people. Height, weight, maximum gait velocity (MGV) and leg extension power (LEP) were measured in 752 males and females who participated in the National Institute for Longevity Sciences, Longitudinal Study of Aging (NILS-LSA). Age-related changes in MGV and LEP and the association between MGV and LEP were assessed. There were significant decline trends in height, weight, MGV and LEP with advancing age (p < 0.001). MGV showed a significantly positive correlation with LEP (in males: r = 0.48 p < 0.001, in females: r = 0.47; p < 0.001). Subjects aged 60 yrs and over showed a significantly higher correlation than those under 60 yrs in males, but not in females, after adjustment for height and weight. Although the relationships between MGV and LEP were different by age and gender, LEP may be one of the important factors in maintaining gait ability.

Nutritional assessments of 3-day dietary records in National Institute for Longevity Sciences--Longitudinal Study of Aging (NILS-LSA).

Food and nutrient intake of NILS-LSA participants 40 to 79 years of age were assessed through 3-day weighed dietary records by gender and age. The results were as follows. The intake of fats and oils, meats and beverages tended to decrease, but fruits increased with age in both males and females. Regarding nutrient intake, energy, protein, fat, and cholesterol showed a decrease as individuals aged. The nutrient intake in the 70 to 79 yr group was significantly lower than other age groups of both genders. The total dietary fiber and vitamin C intake increased. Salt intake exceeded 10 g/day in every group. The percentage of energy from fat to total energy was higher than 25% in most age groups. The proportion of fatty acids was almost appropriate in all groups.

A new comprehensive study on aging--the National Institute for Longevity Sciences, Longitudinal Study of Aging (NILS-LSA).

A new comprehensive longitudinal study of aging, the National Institute for Longevity Sciences, Longitudinal Study of Aging (NILS-LSA) started in November 1997. The participants of this study will be 2,400 residents aged 40 to 79 years who were age- and gender-stratified random samples selected from the NILS area. All participants provided written informed consent after a detailed explanation of the study. They will be examined at the NILS-LSA Examination Center every two years. Their first wave examinations will be finished by the end of March 2000. The examined variables number over 1,000, including clinical evaluations, medical examinations, anthropometry, body composition, physical functions, physical activities, psychological assessments, nutritional analysis and molecular epidemiology. By the end of September 1999, 1,643 men and women had completed their first wave examinations.

Ultrasonic evaluation of common carotid intima-media thickness (IMT)--influence of local plaque on the relationship between IMT and age.

Ultrasonic evaluation of the intima-media thickness in the common carotid artery (IMT-CCA) has been widely used as a marker of atherosclerosis. However, the definition of IMT-CCA is not uniform and it includes two quite different pathological changes; a general intima-media thickening and a local atherosclerotic change (plaque formation). The aim of this paper was to evaluate the IMT-CCA and local atherosclerosis separately, and to clarify how the IMT-CCA itself changes with age and how local plaques influence the relationship between the IMT-CCA and age. The subjects were 979 men and women aged 40 to 79 years who participated in the first wave examination of the National Institute for Longevity Sciences--Longitudinal Study of Aging (NILS-LSA). The IMT-CCA measured at the thinnest point was significantly higher in men (0.61 +/- 0.15 mm) than in women (0.58 +/- 0.14 mm, p < 0.01) and it increased with age (trend p < 0.0001) in both genders. The IMT-CCA was higher with the presence of plaque in the bulbs (PLQ-BLB) than without PLQ-BLB (p < 0.0001). Although this was a cross-sectional study, the IMT-CCA increased 0.06 mm/10 years with PLQ-BLB and 0.04 mm/10 years without PLQ-BLB. The IMT-CCA could be partially explained by age, gender and PLQ-BLB (r2 = 0.317). In this middle-aged and elderly population, an increase in the IMT-CCA showed a moderate relationship with local atherosclerosis and age.

The factors related to age awareness among middle-aged and elderly Japanese.

The purpose of this article was to expand past research by examining relationships between age awareness and related factors in Japanese middle-aged and elderly people. The subjects were 1,129 participants (575 men and 554 women, aged 40 to 79 years) of the National Institute for Longevity Sciences--Longitudinal Study of Aging (NILS-LSA). They were examined with a questionnaire and interview. As a result, chronological age, self-rated health, and visual and hearing ability tend to be the related factors for awareness of aging. Comparing the demographic and physiological factors, however, major life events, difficulties and daily life experiences showed a stronger influence on age awareness. These results provide an interesting basis for the future understanding of adult development and the meaning of aging.