Abstract
Objective: The results of the National Health and Nutrition Survey regarding exercise habits and step counts are utilized to set targets and monitor Japan’s health policy. A comprehensive understanding of the evolution of survey methodologies is thus essential for the effective formulation of policies within the realm of physical activity. This study aims to systematically categorize survey items pertaining to exercise habits, step counts, anthropometric measurements and physical fitness surveyed from 1946 to 2019.
Methods: This study encompasses surveys conducted from 1946 to 2019, comprising all years. Information pertaining to survey items related to exercise habits, step counts, and anthropometric measurements and physical fitness was gathered from the summaries and reports of each survey year. The data underwent systematic organization of the items, incorporating details on survey methods and any alterations made.
Results: Exercise habit is consistently defined as engagement in 30 minutes or more of exercise at least twice a week for a duration of one year or more. In this study, it was investigated through face-to-face surveys conducted by researchers since 1986. Since 1989, the pedometer from Yamasa Tokei Keiki Co., Ltd., worn at the waist, has been employed to measure daily step counts for November, excluding Sundays and holidays. The survey encompassed not only exercise habits and step counts but also delved into broader aspects, such as general physical activity, exercise, sports participation, frequency, duration, motivation, grip strength, and anthropometric measurements, and it was adapted to societal contexts.
Conclusion: The above definition of exercise habit and the pedometer to quantify step counts have been utilized consistently since the survey’s inception. Consequently, it was deemed feasible to utilize the National Health and Nutrition Survey to assess temporal variations in exercise habits and step counts.
