Abstract
Seasonal changes in physical activities and food intake in the elderly living in a snowy area were studied in 38 participants (15 males and 23 females, mean age 70.1 years) in a health-promotion program for the elderly carried out in an agricultural area of Tohoku district. The subjects were relatively fit, outgoing, and generally active but gained weight during the winter. Also, while their activity level decreased markedly during winter compared with that in summer, there was no seasonal difference noted in their nutritional intake. Concerning their daily schedule, hours spent on outdoor activities decreased and hours spent indoors increased during the winter. These results suggest that the increase in BMI during winter is caused by the decrease in the activity level. In health-promoting schemes for the elderly in snowy regions, an exercise program appropriate for winter, when the activity level decreases, is considered to be needed.
