We compared dietary status and nutritional intake by pregestational body mass index (BMI) of women in early pregnancy, and examined the relationship with weight gain during pregnancy. A self-administered questionnaire survey and a dietary survey using the weighing method were conducted on 108 pregnant women who underwent a health checkup in S City, Mie Prefecture. The results of 81 participants were then analyzed. Those with underlying diseases and complications (13), those who returned home to give birth (“homecoming births”) (12), pregnancies that resulted in intrauterine fetal death (1), and those who experienced miscarriages (1) were excluded. The gestational weight gain, or the weight at the time of the final pregnancy checkup, was understood from the women's medical records, and weight gain during pregnancy was subtracted from their weight at the time of the final checkup.

  As a result, there was no significant difference in energy intake compared to pregestational BMI measurements. In addition, energy intake was below the EER (estimated energy requirement) in all BMI groups, indicating that the additional intake in the first trimester was insufficient. The weight increase of the women in the normal range (18.5 ≦ BMI < 25 ㎏/m²) tended to be less than the recommended range for weight gain during pregnancy. The amounts of energy, protein, lipid, iron, zinc, and copper of these women were all significantly less than the women in the other groups, particularly their consumption of beans and meat.

  It was suggested that the maintenance of proper nutritional balance and the growth of the fetus in pregnant women require efforts to increase dietary intake and support for weight management during pregnancy.

  The purpose of this study was to elucidate visually the current situation surrounding teachers' anxiety in connection with the occurrence of natural disasters in preschools. In total, 829 teachers completed a questionnaire about anxiety when a disaster occurs. As a result, the “leading children to a safe refuge when a disaster occurs” network consisted of 5 subgraphs. Because the frequency of appearance of each word that composed the network was high, teachers seem to be very anxious about that network. Additionally, it seems that teachers did not assume that they would be able to collaborate with the local community at the time of disaster. It was suggested that there was a great psychological burden on teachers during disasters because they recognized that they themselves were responsible for disaster prevention in facilities.

  The purpose of this study is to clarify the actual conditions of sales and use of brassieres for breast cancer patients, based on information obtained from online shopping sites. The brassieres were classified into two types, leisure type (27 products) and full cup type (25 products), for analysis of the features of the brassieres. Two products from each type were chosen for satisfaction and dissatisfaction analysis based on information gathered from consumer reviews. The results are as follows.

  1) The leisure type brassiere is designed to be gentle on the post-operative body and has been worn by many from an early stage after surgery. The products are available in multiple colors and can be obtained at affordable prices. Customers were satisfied with its “soft touch”, “less oppression to the breast”, “cotton fibers”, and “front closure”. On the other hand, some users were dissatisfied with its “size” and “touch” in their post-operative physical condition.

  2) The full cup type brassiere is also for post-operative patients and is designed to maintain breast shape like a general brassiere. It was clarified that there was lack of color variation, and that people who didn't have average-sized breasts had fewer pattern options than those with average-sized breasts. While customers were satisfied with “ample support”, “price”, “touch”, and “color/pattern”, some were dissatisfied with “size”.

  3) Mail orders are usually made based on the information presented on the product site and without touching or trying on the product. However, some details could not be found on the site. Since size was an important criterion for women who underwent breast cancer surgery, it became clear that anxiety and dissatisfaction with size in particular were highly prevalent.

  A survey was conducted on Home Economics classes following the revised curriculum of basic education in Finland. Observations of the Home Economics classes and interview surveys with Home Economics teachers in two comprehensive schools in Vantaa City and Helsinki City were conducted.

  The results can be summarized as follows:

1) At the comprehensive school in Vantaa City, Home Economics was offered as an elective subject from the 4th grade to the 6th grade and classes took place for two hours a week over a six-month period. A Home Economics teacher devised the lesson plan.

2) At the comprehensive school in Vantaa City, Home Economics students participated in “Life Skill,” which is a cross-curricular phenomenon-based theme learning for 4th grade students.

3) At the comprehensive school in Helsinki, small-group cooking training was conducted as a compulsory Home Economics class practiced in the 7th grade.

  In addition, it was noted that this type of cooking practice was practiced more frequently by 7th grade students in Vantaa City than it was in Helsinki, according to Vantaa City's lesson plan. It was clear that cooking skills were still emphasized at school even after the revised Home Economics curriculum.