The Association of Dining Companionship with Energy and Nutrient Intake Among Community-Dwelling Japanese Older Adults.

Background: Community-dwelling older adults are at risk of malnutrition due to age-related declines in energy and nutrient intake. While the positive effect of dining companions on energy and nutrient intake has been suggested, evidence remains inconclusive. This study investigated the association between the number of dining companions and energy and nutrient intake, as well as the contribution of specific food groups to higher intake in the presence of dining companions.

Relative age effect on the physical activity and sedentary behavior in children and adolescents aged 10 to 18 years old: a cross-sectional study in Japan.

Background: Few studies have shown that relatively younger children and adolescents (those born later in the same school year) were less likely to engage in physical activity in a phenomenon termed the relative age effect. Although these studies mainly targeted elementary and middle school students, no study has reported on the relative age effect on physical activity in ordinary high school students. Moreover, the relative age effect on sedentary behavior might show an opposite association with physical activity.

Current Situation of Heat Stress Studies on Kendo Players: A Scoping Review.

Global warming and the rise in the average temperature in recent years have increased the risk of heat stroke and also deteriorated performance among athletes. Kendo, a traditional Japanese martial art and also a competitive sport, is reported to have high incidents of heat stroke and related mortality. However, there is no heat management guideline for this specific sport to date and research on its heat management practices and risk factors for heat stroke are limited.

Factors associated with acquiring exercise habits through health guidance for metabolic syndrome among middle-aged Japanese workers: A machine learning approach.

Objective: Physical inactivity increases the risk of mortality and chronic morbidity. Therefore, it is crucial to establish strategies to encourage individuals to increase their physical activity and develop exercise habits. The objective of this study was to explore factors associated with acquiring exercise habits using machine learning algorithms.

Raman Spectroscopic Algorithms for Assessing Virulence in Oral Candidiasis: The Fight-or-Flight Response.

This study aimed to test the effectiveness of Raman spectroscopy in the characterization of the degrees of physiological stress and virulence in clinical swab samples collected from patients affected by oral candidiasis. Raman experiments were conducted on a series of eight isolates, both in an as-collected state and after biofilm purification followed by 3 days of culture. The outputs were matched to optical microscopy observations and the results of conventional chromogenic medium assays.

Greater energy surplus promotes body protein accretion in healthy young men: A randomized clinical trial.

Background & Aims: Caloric overfeeding combined with adequate protein intake increases not only body fat mass but also fat-free mass. However, it remains unclear whether the increase in fat-free mass due to overfeeding is associated with an increase in total body protein mass. We evaluated the hypothesis that overfeeding would promote an increase in total body protein mass.

Visceral Fat-Reducing Effect of Novel Dietary Intervention Program: A Randomized Controlled Trial in Japanese Males.

Reducing visceral fat is a critical factor in preventing obesity-related health complications. In this study, we evaluated the effectiveness of our previously reported novel dietary intervention program, "Optimized Nutri-Dense Meals", designed according to the Dietary Reference Intakes (DRIs) in Japan in reducing visceral fat. This open-label, randomized controlled trial included 100 Japanese males with obesity or overweight.

Associations among motor competence, health-related fitness, and physical activity in children: A comparison of gold standard and field-based measures.

This study compared the associations among motor competence, health-related fitness, and physical activity measured by gold standard and field-based methods in children. A total of 248 first-grade children (153 boys) aged 6-7 years participated in the study. Motor competence was assessed using the Test of Gross Motor Development, Second Edition (TGMD -2).

Lifestyle Medicine and Japan's Longevity Miracle.

With Japan's economic growth, its life expectancy increased from 1965, and since 1980, Japan has become one of the longest-lived countries in the world. Strong government-led initiatives such as low-cost health insurance, widely distributed health screenings, a new law to prevent non-communicable diseases established in 1956, Shokuiku (Japanese culinary education), and stress-measuring systems in the workplace contributed to the population's longevity. In addition to these public initiatives, Japan has benefited from evolving lifestyle practices over its long history.

Association of maternal blood and umbilical cord blood plasma fatty acid levels with the body size at birth of Japanese infants.

Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), mainly obtained from fish, have been implicated in fetal development. Because few studies have examined maternal and umbilical cord blood fatty acid levels and infant body size in Japan with a fish-eating culture, we examined differences in plasma fatty acid levels in pregnant women and infant size at birth. This study is a large birth cohort study of 1476 pairs of Japanese pregnant women and their infants.

Development and Validation of the Meiji Nutritional Profiling System per Serving Size.

Serving size may be the appropriate reference for calculating food nutritional value. We aimed to assess the nutritional values of Japanese foods based on serving sizes rather than per 100 g by adapting the Meiji Nutritional Profiling System (Meiji NPS). Given the variability in serving sizes across countries, we used Japanese serving sizes to calculate the Meiji NPS scores.

Impact of Rice Bran Oil Emulsified Formulation on Digestion and Glycemic Response to Japonica Rice: An In Vitro Test and a Clinical Trial in Adult Men.

To assess the effect of rice bran oil emulsified formulation (EMF) on cooked rice, a single-arm open clinical trial and in vitro testing for digestion and glycemic response were performed. Fifteen Japanese men consumed 200 g of packed rice, cooked with or without EMF. Blood samples were collected 0, 30, 60, and 120 min post-consumption and analyzed for glucose, insulin, and triglyceride levels.

Decidualized Endometrial Stromal Cells Promote Mitochondrial Beta-Oxidation to Produce the Octanoic Acid Required for Implantation.

Decidualization denotes the morphological and biological differentiating process of human endometrial stromal cells (HESCs). Fatty acid pathways are critical for endometrial decidualization. However, the participation of fatty acids as an energy source and their role in endometrial decidualization have received little attention.

Genome-wide association meta-analysis identifies two novel loci associated with dental caries.

Background: Tooth loss significantly impacts oral function and overall health deterioration. Dental caries and periodontal disease are major contributors to tooth loss, emphasizing the critical need to prevent these conditions. Genetic studies have played a crucial role in deepening our understanding of the underlying mechanisms of these diseases.

Gender differences in the proportion of Japanese parents meeting 24-h movement guidelines and associations with weight status.

Objectives: Parents' healthy behaviors are important for both their health and role models for their children. The purpose of this study was to evaluate adherence to the three recommendations associated with health in the Canadian 24-h movement or Japanese physical activity (PA) guidelines and their relationship with weight status (underweight or obesity) in Japanese parents.

Methods: This cross-sectional study included 425 mothers and 237 fathers.

Dietary macronutrient composition and its effect on 24-h substrate oxidation: A study of diurnal variations in carbohydrate and fat intake.

Background & Aims: In recent times, the complexity of food styles and meal content has increased, leading to significant variations in macronutrient composition between meals. This phenomenon has coincided with a rise in obesity rates. We aimed to determine whether a large variation in macronutrient composition between meals results in reduced fat oxidation.

An academic cooperation between the Japan Sports Nutrition Association (JSNA) and the Korean Society for Exercise Nutrition (KSEN).

Purpose: The Japan Sports Nutrition Association (JSNA) is an academic society that aims to contribute to people's health and the development of sports in Japan.

Methods: After numerous communication and academic events, the JSNA and the Korean Society for Exercise Nutrition (KSEN) exchanged a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in 2018.

Results: Based on the MoU, the JSNA and KSEN organized academic exchange events until the Coronavirus Disease 2019 pandemic and subsequent travel restrictions and lockdowns.

Evaluation of a program designed to prevent diabetic nephropathy aggravation: A retrospective cohort study using health checkups and claims data in Japanese municipalities.

Aims: Japan started the Diabetic Nephropathy Aggravation Prevention Program. Its early impact was assessed in this study.

Methods: This study used the Kokuho Database of patients with type 2 diabetes from program-implementing and non-implementing municipalities (fiscal years [FYs] 2015-2021).

Typical Guidelines for Well-Balanced Diet and Science Communication in Japan and Worldwide.

Numerous studies have investigated healthy diets and nutrients. Governments and scientists have communicated their findings to the public in an easy-to-understand manner, which has played a critical role in achieving citizens' well-being. Some countries have published dietary reference intakes (DRIs), whereas some academic organizations have provided scientific evidence on dietary methods, such as traditional diets.