Changes and Differences in Eating Habits of Immigrants from Okinawa and those from the Japanese Mainland in the Republic of Bolivia

Abstract

The patterns of morbidity and mortality among Japanese immigrants in the USA and Brazil are different from those observed in Japan, approximating the patterns characteristic of the countries they have settled in (Haenszel, W., et al., 1968, Gotlieb, 5., 1974). This is considered to be attributable to changes in environmental factors, mainly eating habits. In the present study, in order to elucidate factors determining the eating habits existing among immigrants, we investigated the current pattern of eating habits in two settlements in Bolivia, where Japanese immigrants have lived for more than 30 years since the end of the Second World War, i.e., settlement Okinawa composed of immigrants from Okinawa, and settlement San Juan composed of immigrants from the Japanese mainland (mostly Kyushu). Changes in eating habits after immigration were also determined by comparing the patterns before and after immigration. In these two settlements, human ecological studies concerning trace elements and heavy metals in the hair (Tsugane, S., 1986a, Tsugane, S., et al., 1987) and epidemiological studies on blood pressure (Tsugane, S., et al., 1986b, 1988) and viral infection (Tsugane, S., et al., 1989) have been already carried out. Although both settlements are composed of Japanese immigrants, differences have been found between the two in relation to chemical elements in the hair and health index. A survey of eating habits was also carried out in 1975 in 34 families of immigrants in San Juan by the method of dietary recording (Suzuki, T., et al., 1981).