Reliability and validity of the Japanese version of the Pregnancy and Weight Gain Attitude Scale.

This study aimed to develop the Japanese version of the Pregnancy and Weight Gain Attitude Scale (J-PWGAS) as a measurement of body image regarding body weight and shape during pregnancy. This cross-sectional study was conducted at a perinatal medical center in Osaka, Japan, between March and November 2020. We recruited pregnant women in their second or third trimester, who were 20 years old or older and without pregnancy complications.

Association Between Body Image Before and During Pregnancy and Gestational Weight Gain in Japanese Women: A Prospective Cohort Study.

Objectives: More than half of women do not achieve appropriate gestational weight gain. Maternal body image may be an important factor associated with gestational weight gain. However, this association has not been thoroughly evaluated.

Psychosocial Experiences Related to Dietary Behavior of Japanese Lactating Women: A Qualitative Study.

Adequate dietary intake during the lactation period is important for breast milk components, postpartum recovery, and physical and mental health. This study aimed to clarify the psychosocial experiences related to dietary behavior around one month postpartum among Japanese lactating women. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 18 women between February and June 2022 in Osaka, Japan.

Association between perception of pre-pregnancy body weight and nutritional status during pregnancy: A cross-sectional study.

Background And Objectives: Perception of body weight often affects dietary intake and biological nutrient concentrations. However, the association during pregnancy has not been clarified. This study examined the association of the perceived pre-pregnancy body weight with nutrient intake and circulating nutrient concentrations during pregnancy.

Association of Lifestyle Changes Due to the COVID-19 Pandemic with Nutrient Intake and Physical Activity Levels during Pregnancy in Japan.

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has introduced changes in our lifestyles, such as refraining from unnecessary outings. This study aimed to clarify the association of lifestyle changes due to the COVID-19 pandemic with nutrient intake and physical activity levels during pregnancy in Japan. A cross-sectional study involving 168 healthy pregnant Japanese women was conducted in 2020.

Effects of Individual Dietary Intervention on Nutrient Intake in Postpartum Japanese Women: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

No dietary intervention that focuses on the diet quality of postpartum women has been developed in Japan, although most postpartum women experience an insufficient intake of vitamins and minerals. We aimed to examine whether dietary intervention, based on the health belief model, at both 1 and 3 months postpartum affects nutrient intake and food group consumption at 6 months postpartum. A randomized controlled trial was conducted at a university hospital in Tokyo between 2015 and 2016.

Effect of vibration therapy on physical function in critically ill adults (VTICIA trial): protocol for a single-blinded randomised controlled trial.

Introduction: Vibration therapy has been used as an additional approach in passive rehabilitation. Recently, it has been demonstrated to be feasible and safe for critically ill patients, whose muscle weakness and intensive care unit (ICU)-acquired weakness are serious problems. However, the effectiveness of vibration therapy in this population is unclear.

Post-breastfeeding stress response and breastfeeding self-efficacy as modifiable predictors of exclusive breastfeeding at 3 months postpartum: a prospective cohort study.

Background: The rate of exclusive breastfeeding at 3 months postpartum is only 50% in Japan. In order to increase this rate, we aimed to examine modifiable factors related to exclusive breastfeeding at 3 months postpartum by focusing on breastfeeding-related and psychosocial variables at 1 month postpartum.

Methods: This prospective cohort study was conducted at a secondary medical care center in Osaka, Japan from February 2017 to October 2018.

Guided imagery for treating hypertension in pregnancy.

Background: Hypertension (high blood pressure) in pregnancy carries a high risk of maternal morbidity and mortality. Although antihypertensive drugs are commonly used, they have adverse effects on mothers and fetuses. Guided imagery is a non-pharmacological technique that has the potential to lower blood pressure among pregnant women with hypertension.

Effects of skipping breakfast on dietary intake and circulating and urinary nutrients during pregnancy.

Background And Objectives: More than 20% of pregnant Japanese women regularly skip breakfast, thereby resulting in a low intake of several nutrients that are required for fetal development and prevention of pregnancy complications. However, whether skipping breakfast affects circulating levels of these nutrients remains unclear. We investigated whether skipping breakfast during pregnancy was associated with decreases in dietary intake and circulating and urinary levels of several nutrients, including fatty acids and vitamins.

Factors related to vegetable intake among pregnant Japanese women: A cross-sectional study.

Introduction: Vegetable intake (VI) is important for both fetal and maternal health. However, VI is insufficient among many pregnant Japanese women. This study aimed to identify the factors related to VI during pregnancy.

Pre-pregnancy BMI, gestational weight gain and body image are associated with dietary under-reporting in pregnant Japanese women.

Dietary under-reporting is a common problem when using self-reported dietary assessment tools. However, there are few studies regarding under-reporting during pregnancy. This study aimed to explore the demographic and psychosocial characteristics related to dietary under-reporting in pregnant Japanese women.

The Effects of a Yoga Exercise and Nutritional Guidance Program on Pregnancy Outcomes Among Healthy Pregnant Japanese Women: A Study Protocol for a Randomized Controlled Trial.

Objectives: This report provides an experimental protocol for a study designed to verify the effects of yoga exercise and a nutritional guidance program during pregnancy on several key pregnancy and birth outcomes among Japanese women.

Design: This is a study protocol of a randomized controlled trial.

Setting/location: This intervention will be carried out in a university hospital in Tokyo.

Effects of moisturizing skincare on skin barrier function and the prevention of skin problems in 3-month-old infants: A randomized controlled trial.

An effective newborn skincare protocol has not been established. We aimed to evaluate the effects of moisturizing skincare, including using lotion and reducing routine bathing. Our hypothesis was that moisturizing skincare would improve skin barrier function.

Availability of two self-administered diet history questionnaires for pregnant Japanese women: A validation study using 24-hour urinary markers.

Background: Accurate and easy dietary assessment methods that can be used during pregnancy are required in both epidemiological studies and clinical settings. To verify the utility of dietary assessment questionnaires in pregnancy, we examined the validity and reliability of a self-administered diet history questionnaire (DHQ) and a brief-type self-administered diet history questionnaire (BDHQ) to measure energy, protein, sodium, and potassium intake among pregnant Japanese women.

Methods: The research was conducted at a university hospital in Tokyo, Japan, between 2010 and 2011.

Effect of tailored dietary guidance for pregnant women on nutritional status: A double-cohort study.

This double cohort study aimed to evaluate the effect of tailored dietary guidance for pregnant women on dietary intake, nutritional status, and infant birth weight. Healthy pregnant women were recruited at an antenatal clinic during two phases over 2 years. The historical controls were analyzed a year prior to the intervention group.

Aetiological relationships between factors associated with postnatal traumatic symptoms among Japanese primiparas and multiparas: A longitudinal study.

Objective: this study aims to identify the aetiological relationships of psychosocial factors in postnatal traumatic symptoms among Japanese primiparas and multiparas.

Design: a longitudinal, observational survey.

Setting: participants were recruited at three institutions in Tokyo, Japan between April 2013 and May 2014.

Immediate stress reduction effects of yoga during pregnancy: One group pre-post test.

Background: Excessive stress during pregnancy may cause mental disorders in pregnant women and inhibit fetal growth. Yoga may alleviate stress during pregnancy.

Aim: To verify the immediate effects of yoga on stress response during pregnancy.

Daily walking decreases casual glucose level among pregnant women in the second trimester.

The objective of this study was to explore the relationship between carbohydrate metabolism and the number of steps walked daily, as evaluated by accelerometer, among Japanese women in the second trimester of pregnancy. This longitudinal study was conducted at a university hospital in Tokyo, Japan, from August 2012 to January 2013. Healthy pregnant women at 14 to 18 gestational weeks were recruited.

The biomarker-based validity of a brief-type diet history questionnaire for estimating eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid intakes in pregnant Japanese women.

Objectives: Maternal docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) intakes is important for brain development in fetuses. Accurate assessment of EPA and DHA intakes is required in clinical settings to identify women with deficiency of these nutrients and provide an appropriate intervention for them. We examined the validity and reproducibility of a brief-type self-administered diet history questionnaire (BDHQ) for evaluating EPA and DHA intakes of pregnant Japanese women, to establish an easily administered dietary assessment tool.

A Systematic Review of the Physical, Mental, Social, and Economic Problems of Immigrant Women in the Perinatal Period in Japan.

The perinatal mortality of immigrants in Japan is higher than that of Japanese women. However, details of the problems of immigrant perinatal women that contribute to worsening of their health are still unknown. This review describes the physical, psychological, social, and economic problems of immigrant women during the perinatal period in Japan.

Associations of dietary intake and plasma concentrations of eicosapentaenoic and docosahexaenoic acid with prenatal depressive symptoms in Japan.

The association between depression and omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids, including eicosapentaenoic and docosahexaenoic acid, continues to gain focus. In this study, we examined whether dietary intakes and plasma concentrations of eicosapentaenoic and docosahexaenoic acid were associated with depressive symptoms during pregnancy. Healthy Japanese women with singleton pregnancies were recruited at a university hospital in Tokyo between 2010 and 2012.

Relationship between skin barrier function in early neonates and diaper dermatitis during the first month of life: a prospective observational study.

Diaper dermatitis, a common skin problem in newborn infants, is characterized by poor functioning of the skin barrier. This study aimed to elucidate the relationship between skin barrier function in 4-day-old infants and the occurrence of diaper dermatitis during the first month of life. We recruited healthy Japanese infants born at 35 weeks of gestation or more.

Antenatal fear of childbirth and sense of coherence among healthy pregnant women in Japan: a cross-sectional study.

While antenatal fear of childbirth (FOC) has been associated with many psychosocial variables, few studies have focused on individual stress resiliency. Sense of coherence (SOC) is one of the essential components of individual stress resiliency. This study investigates the relationship between antenatal FOC and SOC in Japanese healthy pregnant women.