In order to test statistically whether and to what extent the weight-loss realized in an intervention program could affect any other health checkup results related to metabolic syndrome (MetS), by analyzing the one year health checkup results of the participants in an occupational weight loss program in Japan. Following analysis of variance (ANOVA) for the preliminary analyses, we conducted simple linear regression and logistic regression with significance level set to 0.05, applying each of the improvements (i.e. reductions) of weight and BMI as of the end of the HALSMA Diet program as an independent variable. Simple linear regression was used for identifying any relationship between weight loss and the improvements of other health checkup results, while logistic regression was used for predicting the probability of the resolution of MetS diagnosis after one year. There were significant linear relationships between weight loss and reductions of both waist circumference and blood sugar level, as well as a statistically significant prediction that in the case of weight loss the number of risk factors of MetS, excluding waist circumference, would be less than two. Then complimentary analyses indicated that the probability of the reduction of TG to the level below the diagnostic criteria for MetS was also significantly predictable. For further study, we should consider introducing other factors than weight loss as additional independent variables. It is also necessary to analyze data for a longer period.

View full abstract

We investigated the effects of an occupational mental health program, which was introduced into Company A since April 2002, by decision analysis of medical expenses and total salary compensation. The number of employee who developed depression increased from 41 to 133 comparing both three years. As a result, total salary compensation increased from \189,358 to \377,329 (thousand), and medical expenses increased from \22,160 to \42,589 (thousand), which means the Benefit/Cost was (-) 19.6. Since this extreme increase in cases reflected a socially unusual condition (economical depression), we estimated the cost if the Program had not been introduced. It revealed that the total salary compensation would have been from \189,358 to \614,258 (thousand), and the medical expenses would have increased from \2,216 to \71,884 (thousand). Therefore, the benefit/cost ratio would have been 24.6, which demonstrated that this program is excellent from the economical viewpoints. In this study, we evaluated only absenteeism or direct cost such as salary compensation and medical expenses. However, a further study needs to be done including presenteeism or indirect cost derived from impaired performance due to major depressive disorder.

View full abstract

In 2006 the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare (MHLW) has launched the 2006 Health care reform plan. One of the characteristics of this plan is to value the preventive activities. Most of these programs mainly focus to the disease specific symptoms and outcomes such as pain, weakness of muscle, and little attention is paid to the mental depression. In order to evaluate the effect of depressive situation on changes in Activity of Daily Living (ADL) level, we have organized and analyzed a two year's panel data (2004-2005) that contains about 1800 aged living in a city of western Japan. For evaluation of ADL level and depression status, Typology of Aged with Illustration (TAI) and Geriatric Depression Scale five item version (GDS5) were used, respectively. After evaluating the results of descriptive analyses, logistic regression analyses were conducted in order to analyze the factors associated with aggravation of ADL levels between 2004 and 2005. The results indicated that depressive status has significant influence on changes in ADL independency status, that is, the person with higher depression situation showed the higher possibility of worsening the ADL level. higher depression situation were related to the worsening of mobility (OR=0.749, 95%CI=0.655-0.857), mental status (OR=0.606, 95%CI=0.489-0.750), eating (OR=0.603, 95%CI=0.458-0.793), toileting (OR=0.564, 95%CI=0.456-0.698), and bathing (OR=0.647, 95%CI=0.551-0.760). The results of our study have suggested that the health promotion activities for the aged must pay enough attention for the depression problem in order to improve and to maintain their ADL independency.

View full abstract

We organized a 180-day-long body weight reduction program for metabolic syndrome (so called, HALSMA diet program) for 37 male workers (30 to 49 years old) who were diagnosed as metabolic syndrome by the annual health check-up. After 1 year, the intervention group showed a statistically significant improvement for the following items; body weight, BMI, body fat rate, waist circumference, blood pressure, dyslipidemia, liver function, and glucose tolerance. For the comparison of two groups after 1 year, the intervention group showed a statistically significant improvement for body weight, BMI, AST, γ-GPT, FBS, HbA1c, and insulin level. According to our results, it is indicated that self-measurement and periodical brief personal contact provided significant benefit in sustaining weight loss.

View full abstract