This study examined the effects of spontaneous laughter on the autonomic nervous system (ANS) activity. Fifteen healthy young men were assigned to receive three 10-min experimental treatments: watching an emotionally moving film (control condition: CON), watching a comedy film (spontaneous laughter: SP), and CON with simulated laughter (SI). A significant interaction between time and treatment was noted in the ANS and the subjective emotional score. During the treatment period, the low-frequency power spectrum was significantly higher under SP conditions than under SI and CON conditions. The present findings suggest that the ANS can differentiate spontaneous laughter from simulated laughter.

Prolongation of healthy life expectancy has been an important global issue to be achieved where the world population is continuously growing, and acceleration of ageing society in many countries and regions. Ageing causes a number of physiological changes including loss of skeletal muscle tissues and fat distribution pattern, which may increase risk of health problems such as metabolic syndrome, underweight, and sarcopenia. An early screening and diagnosis of health problems among the elderly are therefore essential to maintain health and well-being of this population. Anthropometry is a simple, portable, cost-effective, and non-invasive technique that commonly applied to screen health problems. This review describes common anthropometric variables and their cut-off points that have been utilized in health screening for the elderly and also considerations and its future prospects.

This study developed and examined the acceptability of zinc-enriched confectionery products in terms of taste and texture. Seventy medical staff who were blinded to the addition of zinc gave high scores to cocoa cookies, mizu yokan (a jelly made from red bean paste), and caramel on all tests. Forty outpatients who regularly visited our dialysis clinic were asked to consume these three products for 30 days. Both diet self-efficacy and zinc deficiency improved in these patients, suggesting that this dietary therapy can be continued for a prolonged period and may contribute to improved serum zinc levels in elderly hemodialysis patients.

This study aimed to examine the effects of health program and self monitoring to prevent frailty for 2-months on physical function in 19 elderly adults (4 men, 15 women). The health program consisted of guidance in exercise, mastication and nutrition. During the program, body weight, waist circumference, exercise performance, dietary intake and mastication awareness were assessed by self-reporting each day. After the intervention, the locomotive syndrome score was significantly lower compared to the beginning (the stand-up test 4.1→4.5, the two-step test 1.27→1.37, locomotive check 1.8→0.5).

There is a decrease in the water content in cells, amount of fluid circulation, amount of bone, and function of internal organs at an older age. These factors tend to cause frailty. The amount of water in the body in older people is also greatly affected by the degree of individual mental and physical disorders, such as chronic illness, visceral function, decreased swallowing function, loss of appetite, dementia, and depression. These factors are rarely measured in older people in welfare facilities and in comprehensive community care. Recent studies have shown urinary disorders due to excessive salt intake and water intake, which are discussed in this article.