Journal of Community Health

, Volume 37, Issue 2, pp 480–486 | Cite as

Lifestyle Characteristics Assessment of Japanese in Pittsburgh, USA

  • Nobutaka Hirooka
  • Teiichi Takedai
  • Frank D’Amico
Original Paper
First Online:

Abstract

Lifestyle-related chronic diseases such as cancer and cardiovascular disease are the greatest public health concerns. Evidence shows Japanese immigrants to a westernized environment have higher incidence of lifestyle-related diseases. However, little is known about lifestyle characteristics related to chronic diseases for Japanese in a westernized environment. This study is examining the gap in lifestyle by comparing the lifestyle prevalence for Japanese in the US with the Japanese National Data (the National Health and Nutrition Survey in Japan, J-NHANS) as well as the Japan National Health Promotion in the twenty-first Century (HJ21) goals. Japanese adults were surveyed in Pittsburgh, USA, regarding their lifestyle (e.g., diet, exercise, smoking, stress, alcohol, and oral hygiene). The prevalence was compared with J-NHANS and HJ21 goals. Ninety-three responded (response rate; 97.9%). Japanese men (n = 38) and women (n = 55) in Pittsburgh smoke less than Japanese in Japan (P < 0.001 for both genders). Japanese in Pittsburgh perform less physical activity in daily life and have lower prevalence of walking more than 1 h per day (P < 0.001 for both genders). Japanese women in Pittsburgh have significantly higher prevalence of stress than in Japan (P = 0.004). Japanese men in Pittsburgh do not reach HJ21 goal in weight management, BMI, use of medicine or alcohol to sleep, and sleep quality. Japanese women in Pittsburgh do not reach HJ21 goal in weight management and sleep quality. In conclusion, healthy lifestyle promotion including exercise and physical activity intervention for Japanese living in a westernized environment is warranted.

Keywords

Japanese in the US Lifestyle Chronic disease Health promotion 
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Notes

Acknowledgments

This research was supported by University of Pittsburgh Medical Center Shadyside Competitive Research Fund, the Japanese Academy of Family Medicine (Scholarly Activity Fund), and the Japanese Medical Society of America (Japanese Community Outreach Fund).

Conflict of interest

None of the authors report a conflict of interest.

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Copyright information

© Springer Science+Business Media, LLC 2011

Authors and Affiliations

  • Nobutaka Hirooka
    • 1
  • Teiichi Takedai
    • 2
  • Frank D’Amico
    • 3
  1. 1.Faculty Development Fellowship, UPMC ShadysideUniversity of Pittsburgh Family MedicinePittsburghUSA
  2. 2.Shadyside Family Medicine ResidencyUniversity of Pittsburgh Medical CenterPittsburghUSA
  3. 3.Faculty Development FellowshipUniversity of Pittsburgh Family MedicinePittsburghUSA

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