School Children In Japan Research Articles

Diet quality and household income level among students: 2014 National Health and Nutrition Survey Japan.

Although higher diet quality is related to higher socioeconomic status among adults, it is unclear whether this result could be generalized to children. Elementary and junior high school lunch programs may contribute to the reduction of socioeconomic disparities in diet quality. We examined the association between diet quality and household income level in school children in Japan according to age subgroups. This cross-sectional study was conducted in 866 household members (435 men and 431 women) aged 6-18 years old from the 2014 National Health and Nutrition Survey, Japan. Dietary intake was assessed by 1 day semi-weighted household dietary record, and the Japanese Food Guide Spinning Top scores (range 0-70) were calculated. The household income was assessed by low, middle, and high. Associations between diet quality and household income levels were examined by age subgroups (6-14 years and 15-18 years), i.e., those with and without school lunch programs RESULTS: Higher dietary scores were observed in those with higher household income in the 15-18 year-olds; the multivariate adjusted mean (95% CI) of diet score was 44.3 (39.0-49.7), 48.8 (47.1-50.6), 51.6 (49.7-53.4) in children with the lowest household income level through the highest, respectively (P for trend = 0.003). However, there were no significant associations among those who were 6-14 years old. Our findings suggest that school lunch program in elementary and junior high schools might help to reduce socioeconomic disparities in diet quality. The development of healthy food environment in high schools without school lunch programs, should also be considered.

1988-P: Association between Screen Time Including Smartphone Use and Obesity and Its Associated Lifestyles in School Children in Japan

An increase in screen time (ST) is reportedly associated with insulin resistance and obesity in children. However, most studies are of TV viewing but not smartphone use. Also, little is known of the relationship between ST and diet. In this study, we clarified the relationships among ST including smartphone use, lifestyle factors including dietary content, and obesity. Cross-sectionally analyzed were 1393 children between 11-15 years of age. ST (min/day) was classified into 4 groups: <120, 120-179, 180-239, ≥240. The associations of each group with dietary content and obesity were investigated. Smartphone usage time significantly increase and sleep duration significantly decreased as ST increased, which was not the case for physical activity. There was no significant difference in energy intake between the 4 groups of ST either for boys or girls, but intake of protein, vegetables green and yellow, other vegetables, and fish and shellfish decreased significantly as ST increased, as did increase in beverage intake. In addition, the association with obesity was significantly increased in the ≥240 ST group compared to the <120 ST group (1.93[1.14-3.28]). In conclusion, the increase in ST including smartphone usage was suggested to be associated with various unfavorable lifestyles including dietary habits that could be connected to obesity. Disclosure I. Ikeda: None. K. Fujihara: None. R. Nedachi: None. S.Y. Morikawa: None. H. Ishiguro: None. M.H. Yamada: None. Y. Matsubayashi: None. T. Yamada: None. H. Sone: Research Support; Self; Kyowa Hakko Kirin Co., Ltd., Novartis AG, Ono Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., Taisho Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., Takeda Pharmaceutical Co.

Changes in overweight/obesity and central obesity status from preadolescence to adolescence: a longitudinal study among schoolchildren in Japan

BackgroundLittle is known about changes in overweight/obesity and central obesity status among schoolchildren from preadolescence to adolescence in Japan, where waist circumference (WC) is generally not measured in annual health examinations at elementary and junior high schools. This study examined changes of overweight/obesity and central obesity status among schoolboys and schoolgirls from preadolescence to adolescence in Japan.MethodsStudy subjects were fourth-grade school children (9 or 10 years of age) from all four of Ina town’s elementary schools in Japan. Measurement of each participant’s height, weight, and WC were made at baseline and 3 years later. Childhood overweight/obesity was determined according to the age- and sex-specific body mass index cut-off points proposed by the International Obesity Task Force. Central obesity was defined as waist-to-height ratio ≥ 0.5. Kappa (κ) statistic was calculated to examine the tracking of overweight/obesity and central obesity.ResultsData from 1436 participants (boys: n = 720, girls: n = 716) were analyzed. Overweight/obesity status tracked substantially from fourth grade to seventh grade in both boys (κ = 0.614, P value < 0.001) and girls (κ = 0.619, P value < 0.001). Among participants who were overweight/obese in fourth grade, 55.2% of boys and 63.2% of girls were still overweight/obese in seventh grade. Tracking of central obesity from fourth graders to seventh graders was substantial in boys (κ = 0.651, P value < 0.001) and moderate in girls (κ = 0.544, P value < 0.001). Among participants who had central obesity in fourth grade, 54.1% of boys and 52.6% of girls still had central obesity in seventh grade.ConclusionsThe present study showed that the tracking of overweight/obesity from preadolescence to adolescence was substantial in boys and girls. Moreover, more than half of those who had central obesity in preadolescence had central obesity in adolescence. This study suggests that it is important to implement a primary prevention program for overweight/obesity and central obesity in elementary schools before fourth grade.

Effects of influenza vaccination on seasonal influenza symptoms: A prospective observational study in elementary schoolchildren in Japan

Although influenza vaccine has been shown to prevent influenza symptom onset, its further beneficial effects after vaccinated individuals become symptomatic remain undetermined. This epidemiological survey compared influenza symptoms in subjects diagnosed with influenza who were and were not vaccinated. A prospective survey was performed among the 13,217 schoolchildren who attended all 29 public elementary schools in Matsumoto City, Nagano Prefecture, Japan, during the 2014/2015 influenza season. Information about symptoms and background demographic and clinical factors were obtained from a questionnaire. Of these schoolchildren, 2,548 were diagnosed with influenza and 1,122 were previously vaccinated and 1,426 were unvaccinated. Fever duration and frequency of symptoms and hospitalization were compared in vaccinated and unvaccinated children. The hospitalization rate was lower in vaccinated children, whereas symptom frequency and fever duration were similar in the two groups. This study showed that hospitalization was less in vaccinated children. Vaccination may attenuate symptom intensity after symptom onset.

How can we mitigate against increasing biophobia among children during the extinction of experience?

The ‘extinction of experience’ – the loss of direct interactions between people and nature – has the potential to increase negative attitudes towards nature (‘biophobia’). Increased biophobia has implications for biodiversity conservation, because it may lead to a reduced motivation to protect wild animals and their habitats. If biophobia among today's children is carried into adulthood, it may negatively affect future biodiversity conservation policy and outcomes. We conducted a large-scale questionnaire survey of schoolchildren in Japan, exploring several factors influencing their levels of biophobia (dislike, disgust, fear, and perceived danger) towards common invertebrates. Children's level of biophobia was negatively associated with their frequency of nature experiences and knowledge of invertebrates. It was positively associated with family members' biophobia and the degree of urbanisation surrounding the children's school. Our results suggest that the extinction of experience is likely to increase biophobia in children in the future. However, our findings also suggest that other factors can be used as counterbalances against its negative effects.

Double Burden of Nutrition and some Eating Habits Characteristics of Preschool Children in Nam Hong Commune, Dong Anh district, Hanoi, 2018

Double Burden of Nutrition and some Eating Habits Characteristics of Preschool Children in Nam Hong Commune, Dong Anh district, Hanoi, 2018

Association between maternal factors and appropriate medication for nursery school children in Japan

Abstract Background Inappropriate medication use for children by caregivers has been reported in Japan. We focused on the factors which could be associated with health literacy (HL) and knowledge of medication (KM). We aimed to examine the association between appropriate use for nursery school children and maternal socioeconomic status (SES) or behavior related to medication adherence among mothers in Japan. Methods The data regarding the conditions of medication for children (aged from six months to six years old) at home and in nursery school by the online survey from April to May 2019 was used. Maternal SES, such as education, occupational status, and economic conditions, were asked via a self-administered questionnaire. Maternal behaviors were measured using a 5-point Likert scale and classified into two groups. HL and KM were scored and divided into two categories. Appropriate medication use was evaluated using a 5-point Likert scale for the statement “I give my child medicine as per instructions,” and the answers were classified into two groups. Poisson regression was employed to investigate the association. Age, maternal SES, chronic disease of children, birth order, HL, and KM were used as covariates. Results A total of 233 (38.8%) of 600 mothers aged 24-48 years, reported appropriate medication use for children. None of the maternal SES was statistically significant. After adjustment, the individuals, who consent to prescribed medications for children, were 2.16 times (95% confidence interval [CI]:1.64-2.86) more likely to use medicine appropriately compared with their counterparts. ’To be able to consult with pharmacists’ were also statistically significant (Prevalence Ratio=2.14, 95% CI:1.63-2.81). Conclusions The mothers, who consent to prescribed medications for children, who consult with pharmacists were more likely to use medicine appropriately. Community pharmacists could support those to improve their skills. Key messages The maternal behaviors related to adherence were associated with appropriate medication for children among Japanese mothers, although none of the maternal SES was statistically significant. Community pharmacists could support mothers and contribute appropriate medical treatment for children.

Parental involvement and academic achievement among elementary and middle school students

This study investigates the associations between parental involvement and academic achievement across three criteria: school level (elementary and middle school), gender (male and female) and subject (mathematics and science). Additionally, it examines whether students’ attitudes towards a subject and their academic aspirations mediate this relationship. A nationally representative sample of elementary and middle school children in Japan (1884 female fourth-grade students from 140 schools, 1849 male fourth-grade students from 139 schools, 1812 female eighth-grade students from 133 schools and 1789 male eighth-grade students from 131 schools) from the Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study 2011 was used for the analysis. The results show that parental involvement is associated with students’ educational outcomes. Students’ attitudes and aspirations mediate the associations between parental involvement and academic achievement. In particular, different associations between parental monitoring involvement and achievement are found for elementary and middle school.

Current Prevalence of Myopia and Association of Myopia With Environmental Factors Among Schoolchildren in Japan

Given the estimates of increasing prevalence of myopia, especially in Asia, it is important to determine the current prevalence of myopia among populations of schoolchildren in Japan. To investigate the current prevalence rate of myopia and the association between environmental factors and myopia in Japanese schoolchildren. This cross-sectional study assessed 1478 participants, including 726 elementary school students and 752 junior high school students, at 2 schools in Tokyo, Japan, who underwent eye examinations from April 1 to May 31, 2017, that included measurement of the refractive errors by autorefractometry with noncycloplegic refraction and ocular biometric factors. After excluding those who had been treated with atropine or orthokeratology (n = 11), had a history of eye disease (n = 2), had no parental consent (n = 41), and were absent (n = 8), 1416 schoolchildren were analyzed. The primary outcome was the prevalence of myopia and high myopia. Secondary outcomes were environmental factors that were associated with myopia. A total of 1416 schoolchildren (mean [SD] age, 10.8 [2.7] years; 792 [55.9%] male) were studied. The prevalence rates of myopia (spherical equivalent ≤-0.5 diopters [D]) were 76.5% (95% CI, 73.4%-79.7%) among the elementary school students and 94.9% (95% CI, 93.3%-96.5%) among the junior high school students. The prevalence rates of high myopia (spherical equivalent ≤-6.0 D) were 4.0% (95% CI, 2.5%-5.4%) among the elementary school students and 11.3% (95% CI, 8.8%-13.7%) among the junior high school students. The prevalence rates of high myopia classified based on axial length of 26.0 mm or longer were 1.2% (95% CI, 0.4%-2.0%) among elementary school students and 15.2% (95% CI, 12.5%-17.8%) among junior high school students. Multiple regression analysis showed that higher-order aberrations and dry eye disease were associated with refractive error in elementary school students (spherical aberration: β = 6.152; 95% CI, 3.161-9.143; P < .001; dry eye disease: β = -0.626; 95% CI, -1.189 to -0.063; P = .03) and with axial length in junior high school students (spherical-like aberration: β = 26.546; 95% CI, 18.708-34.385; P < .001; dry eye disease: β = 0.354; 95% CI, 0.131-0.578; P < .002). Although the use of noncycloplegic autorefraction with a cutoff of -0.50 D could lead to overestimation of results, these findings suggest that the current prevalence rates of myopia among elementary and junior high school students in Asia are high, especially if the results from these 2 schools are generalizable to all schoolchildren in Japan and Asia.

Relationship between Star-Wave Test and Visual/Motor Maturity in Young Children

The developmental maturity (M) scale using the Star-Wave Test that was independently developed by Yalon and Zion indicates poor learning abilities if the M-scale score is low, which may be caused by developmental delays, such as intellectual disability and learning disorder or organic mental disorder. Furthermore, the distress (D) scale is thought to be influenced by mild neurological disorders, hand coordination problems, and environmental factors. In this study, we conducted a Star-Wave Test on 44 nursery school children in Japan and examined the M scale, the D scale, as well as the level of stress induced by coordination problems and the environment. The t-test was conducted on the M scale and D scale of the group without coordination problems and that with coordination problems, and we found a significant difference at 1% level. From this result, we can confirm the relationship of the M scale and the D scale with Visual and motor maturity.

The Character Formation of Children in Japan: A Study of Japanese Children Textbook on Moral Education (Doutoku)

The purpose of this research was to explore any underlying messages or moral principle in Japanese elementary school textbook titled “Watashitachi no Doutoku” and its correlation with the character formation of children in Japan. The method used in this research was the literature review that was derived from corpus data in the form of an original Japanese manuscript. The corpus data were derived from textbooks that were still being used in Japan to date, in the form of original books in the Japanese language from the first grade to sixth grade elementary school, whereas the research method used a descriptive analysis method. The problem analysis was divided into four sections, including intrapersonal morality, interpersonal moral value, morality toward nature, and morality toward society. The conclusion indicates that character installment through special school subjects, namely moral education (doutoku), using Watashitachi no Doutoku influences character formation of elementary school children in Japan.

Relationships between informative school outreach and parental involvement for elementary and middle school children

Parental involvement is essential for children’s education. Several studies have examined relationships between parental involvement and parents’ socioeconomic status. However, less attention has been placed on school influences on parental involvement, even though schools play an important role in children’s education and can affect the parents as well. This study addressed the following question: Is informative outreach associated with parental involvement? What types of informative school outreach are strongly associated with parental involvement in elementary and middle school? The present study examined a nationally representative sample of elementary and middle school children in Japan (3939 fourth grade students from 140 schools and 4132 eighth grade students from 133 schools) from the Trends International Mathematics and Science Study 2011. The findings revealed that different types of informative school outreach have different associations depending on the school level. For the sample of elementary school children, informing parents about school was positively associated with home-based parental involvement. However, for the middle school children, informing parents about their child’s learning progress was positively associated with parental involvement.

Self-control and dental caries among elementary school children in Japan.

Children's self-control is associated with various behaviour-related health problems in childhood and later in life. However, studies on self-control and dental caries, strongly associated with toothbrushing or drinking and eating behaviour, are limited. We investigated the association between self-control and the number of decayed or filled primary teeth (dft) among first-grade children (6-7years old) in Japan and evaluated the mediation effect of oral health behaviour on this association. A cross-sectional study of all first-grade elementary school children and their caregivers in Adachi ward (Tokyo) was conducted in 2015. Clinically determined dft status among children and caregiver-administered questionnaires on self-control was linked (n=4291; valid response rate=80.1%). Self-control was assessed by the following single question: "in the last month, was your child able to give up on things they want or do things that they do not like to do for better future outcomes?" Poisson regression analysis was conducted adjusting for age in months, sex, parental educational attainment and household income. Mediation analysis was performed to evaluate the mediation effects of toothbrushing frequency, frequency of drinking sugar-sweetened beverages and snack-eating habits on the association. Lower self-control was associated with higher dft after adjusting for all covariates (mean ratio=1.09; 95% CI: 1.06, 1.12). Toothbrushing frequency, frequency of drinking sugar-sweetened beverages and snack-eating habits mediated 18.1%, 36.1% and 38.3% of the association between self-control and dft, respectively. Strengthening children's self-control might decrease their dental caries by improving their oral health behaviour.

Relationship between Eating Quickly and Overweight : A Cohort Study of Schoolchildren in Japan.

Several cross-sectional studies have shown that eating quickly is associated with overweight in children and adolescents. However, few cohort studies have examined this relationship. Here we investigated the relationship between eating quickly and overweight in a cohort study of fourth-grade schoolchildren (aged 9 or 10 years) who attended elementary schools in Ina-town, Japan. The children were followed for 3 years from 2001-2004 (at baseline) to 2004-2007. A questionnaire survey including information about eating speed (fast, medium, or slow) was administered, and height and weight measurements were obtained at baseline and follow-up. Overweight was defined according to the body mass index cutoff points proposed by the International Obesity Task Force. We used a Poisson regression model to examine the association between eating quickly at baseline and being overweight 3 years later. Data from 934 non-overweight children (465 boys, 469 girls) were analyzed. Eating quickly was not significantly associated with being overweight in the boys, whereas it was significantly associated with being overweight in the girls. Our analysis indicates that among girls, eating quickly leads to overweight, and that the modification of eating quickly could help prevent overweight in adolescents.

Universal school lunch programme closes a socioeconomic gap in fruit and vegetable intakes among school children in Japan

BackgroundUniversal school lunch programmes are expected to cover all children equally, compared with selective programmes that may stigmatize socially vulnerable children. However, the effectiveness of universal programmes in closing dietary disparity has not been empirically proven. We evaluated whether Japan’s universal school lunch programmes contribute to a reduction in the socioeconomic status (SES)-related gradient in fruit and vegetable intakes.MethodsWe analyzed data for 719 school children aged 6–12 years in a population-based survey conducted in the greater Tokyo metropolitan area. We measured dietary intakes using a validated self-administered brief diet history questionnaire for young children (BDHQ-10 y). We assessed parental education, annual household income and maternal employment status as SES indicators of children. We used multiple regression to estimate mean fruit and vegetable intakes by parental education and household income, and the contribution of school lunch to reducing the SES-related gradient in fruit and vegetable intakes.ResultsCompared with children with high maternal education (>15 years), those with low maternal education (<13 years) had less vegetable intake by 22.3 g/1000 kcal (95% confidence interval = 12.5, 32.2) and less fruit intake by 7.5 g/1000 kcal (95% confidence interval = −2.4, 17.3). However, fruit and vegetable intakes from school lunch did not vary by SES, indicating that school lunch intake alleviated the SES-related gradient of total vegetable intake by 9.9% and that of fruit intake by 3.4%.ConclusionsUniversal school lunch programmes can partially contribute to a reduction in the SES-related gradient in dietary intakes.

Prevalence of Functional Constipation and Relationship with Dietary Habits in 3- to 8-Year-Old Children in Japan

Objectives To determine the prevalence and effect of dietary habits on functional constipation in preschool and early elementary school children in Japan. Study Design A total of 3595 children aged 3 to 8 years from 28 nursery schools and 22 elementary schools in Yokohama City, Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan, were evaluated. The subjects were divided into a functional constipation group and a nonfunctional constipation group according to the Rome III criteria. Dietary intake data were collected using a brief-type, self-administered, diet-history questionnaire validated for Japanese preschool-aged children. Results Of the 3595 subjects evaluated, 718 (20.0%) had functional constipation. The association between functional constipation and gender was not statistically significant (p = 0.617). A decrease in bowel frequency was observed in 15.9% of those with functional constipation. There was no significant difference in the proportion of participants in the constipation group by age (p = 0.112). Binomial logistic regression analysis indicated that only fat per 100 kcal positively correlated with functional constipation [odds ratio = 1.216, 95% confidence interval: 1.0476–1.412]. Conclusions Functional constipation is common among children in preschool and early elementary school in urban areas of Japan. Parents should pay attention to constipation-related symptoms other than defecation frequency. A high-fat diet should be avoided to prevent functional constipation.

Association of short‐term ozone exposure with pulmonary function and respiratory symptoms in schoolchildren:A panel study in a western Japanese city

The average annual ozone levels have been increasing in Japan, even though the high ozone levels have decreased in recent years. There is limited information on the relationship between ozone exposure, pulmonary function, and respiratory symptoms in schoolchildren in Japan. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of short-term ozone exposure on pulmonary function and respiratory symptoms in Japanese schoolchildren. Afternoon peak expiratory flow (PEF) values and respiratory symptom scores were recorded daily in 276 schoolchildren from September to October 2016 and from January to February 2017. The association of daily ozone levels with PEF was assessed using a linear mixed model and that with respiratory symptoms was evaluated by generalized estimating equations logistic regression analysis. There was a significant association of daily ozone levels with PEF values. A 13.6-ppb increment in the interquartile range for ozone exposure was significantly associated with a decrease in PEF of -3.67 L/min (95% confidence interval -4.73, -2.61). However, increased ozone levels were not associated with an increased risk of respiratory symptoms. Our present findings suggest that more attention should be paid to the potential adverse effects of short-term ozone exposure on pulmonary function in schoolchildren. J. Med. Invest. 65:236-241, August, 2018.

日本人・韓国人・在日韓国人小中学生の歯科保健状態に関する比較研究

日本人・韓国人・在日韓国人小中学生の歯科保健状態に関する比較研究

Self-Reported Academic Performance and Lifestyle Habits of School Children in Japan

Background and Objective: The purpose of this study was to determine the lifestyle habits significantly associated with self-reported academic performance (AP) in children in grades 5 to 12 in Japan. Methods: A total of 2,114 completed questionnaires were analyzed. Factors examined included habits related to sleeping, eating, defecation, physical activity, and screen time, in addition to body mass index (BMI). Social jet lag (SJL) was calculated from sleeping factors and categorized into five groups according to its value: minus 1 or less (SJL 1), more than minus 1 and 0 or less (SJL 2), more than 0 and 1 or less (SJL 3), more than 1 and 2 or less (SJL 4), and more than 2 (SJL 5). The association between self-reported AP and other factors except for SJL was assessed by means of multinomial logistic regression analysis. Results: Factors significantly associated with good self-reported AP included female gender, lower grade, less sleepiness, lower BMI, intake of breakfast, less constipation, early wake-up time during the weekend, and short screen time during the weekend. The mean self-reported AP of SJL 3 was better than that of both SJL 5 and SJL 1. Conclusions: Self-reported AP was associated with gender, grade, BMI, sleep, breakfast, defecation, and screen time in children in grades 5 to 12 in Japan. It must be ensured that children take enough time to perform the indispensable human behaviors of sleeping, eating, defecation, and physical activity.

Relationship between nutrition knowledge and dietary intake among primary school children in Japan: Combined effect of children's and their guardians' knowledge.

BackgroundImproving the dietary habits of children is important to decrease the future burden of noncommunicable diseases. While various food education programs have been implemented worldwide, evaluation of nutrition knowledge is difficult, even at baseline. Further, the relationship between nutrition knowledge and dietary intake has not been clarified in non-western countries.MethodsAfter developing nutrition knowledge questionnaires for Japanese primary school children and adults, we examined whether higher nutrition knowledge of children and their guardians was associated with better dietary intake in children. A total of 1210 children in four public primary schools and 319 guardians were included in this cross-sectional study.ResultsNutrition knowledge questionnaires were developed for children in lower and higher grades and adults. Higher nutrition knowledge of the children was significantly associated with higher vegetable intake (p for trend = 0.024 for boys and <0.0001 for girls in lower grades, <0.0001 for boys and 0.020 for girls in higher grades). Higher nutrition knowledge of the guardians was also associated with higher vegetable intake, except for boys in higher grades. The relationship between guardians' nutrition knowledge and intake of staple foods and fruits in children differed by children's sex.ConclusionsWe developed nutrition knowledge questionnaires for Japanese children and adults and identified a relationship between higher nutrition knowledge and healthier dietary habits. The child's own nutrition knowledge of dietary intake might be as important as that of the guardian for some foods. Sex differences in the effect of nutrition knowledge should receive greater attention in food education.