Objective: The objective of this study was to examine the relationship between sex and the structure of risk perception among Japanese smokers.
Methods: In this cross-sectional study, a web-based survey was randomly conducted on 2,000 adults (age range, 20-50 years) for 5 days in March 2009. The survey was composed of 5 primary questions; age, sex, smoker or non-smoker, 14 items related to risk perception for seriousness and 10 items related to risk perception for possibility. Based on methods used in previous studies, factor analysis was conducted on the 14 risk-related items and factor analysis of the item scores were compared between sexes using the Mann-Whitney test.
Results: There were a total of 1,308 respondents (334 smokers, 974 non-smokers). Factor analysis was conducted for smokers, and the 14 risk-related items on the questionnaire were divided as follows: the first set of factors (SARS, BSE, bird flu, HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, hepatitis and exposure to radiation) and the second set of factors (electromagnetic waves, carcinogens in the atmosphere, genetically modified organisms, food additives, mercury in fish, second-hand smoke and residual pesticide). Factor analysis of the item scores in the second group was higher among women than among men. Factor analysis was also conducted separately for smokers of each sex, with items being divided into three sets for men and two sets for women.
Conclusion: In regards to smokers, the structure of risk perception differed between the sexes and the risk perception was higher among female smokers than among their male counterparts.

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Objective: To comprehensively identify the factors describing human papillomavirus vaccination behavior in female high school students and to clarify the concepts that coalesce to create the behavioral process manifested by students seeking vaccination.
Methods: Data obtained from 26 female high school students in Kanagawa, Japan by means of semi-structured interview were analyzed using the modified grounded theory approach (M-GTA) method.
Results: Thirty-eight concepts were generated within eight categories. The categories were as follows: (1) “Knowledge/information about cervical cancer and human papillomavirus vaccination”, (2) “Recognition of cervical cancer”, (3) “Degree to which the subject is influenced by friends”, (4) “Association/sexual behavior with the opposite sex”, (5) “Feelings towards vaccination”, (6) “Degree to which the subject is influenced by family as regards vaccination”, (7) “Barriers to vaccination”, and (8) “Abilities to coordinate vaccination-related behavior”. Within the vaccination process, “Knowledge/information about cervical cancer and human papillomavirus vaccination”, “Recognition of cervical cancer”, “Degree to which the subject is influenced by friends”, and “Association/sexual behavior with the opposite sex” influenced “Feelings towards vaccination”, with “Barriers to vaccination” and “Degree to which the subject is influenced by family as regards vaccination” emerging as operational barriers to vaccination. The results further showed that “Abilities to coordinate vaccination-related behavior” influenced ability to surmount these barriers.
Conclusions: A comprehensive list of factors (concepts) describing human papillomavirus vaccination behavior in female high school students was identified and an important dimension of the vaccination process thus elucidated. Furthermore, the results suggest that, in the theorization of the process, “Degree to which the subject is influenced by family as regards vaccination” and “Abilities to coordinate vaccination-related behavior” were characteristic explanatory factors.

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Objective: According to research on multiple health behavior changes, co-variation is defined as a phenomenon in which one behavior increases the probability of another behavior. This study examined the co-variation of multiple eating behaviors using readiness for behavioral changes.
Methods: In this cross-sectional study, questionnaire data were collected from 4,861 health insurance union members in Japan from August to September 2010. The data comprised information on the prevalence of five healthy eating behaviors (eating breakfast, eating in moderation, not eating between meals, not eating 2 hours before sleeping, and chewing well when eating), sex, and age. Each behavior was categorized into the pre-action or action/maintenance stage based on the transtheoretical model. The relationship between each behavior and the stage of change of other behaviors was assessed by multinomial logistic regression analysis.
Results: A total of 3,571 respondents (1,532 men, 42.9%; 2,039 women, 57.1%) answered the questionnaire (response rate, 73.5%). Among men, co-variation was observed mainly between the action of “eating breakfast” and other behaviors (“not eating 2 hours before sleeping”: odds ratio [OR]=2.2; 95% confidence interval [95%CI]=1.41-3.49). Among women, the action of “not eating 2 hours before sleeping” led to co-variation with “not eating between meals” which led to negative co-variation with “eating breakfast” (OR=0.41; 95%CI=0.19-0.89). All behaviors co-occurred, happened at the same time, with others both among men and women.
Conclusion: Co-variation with other behaviors was observed mainly in “eating breakfast” among men and “not eating 2 hours before sleeping” among women. Among women, “not eating between meals” led to negative co-variation.

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Objective: To investigate the factors influencing successful weight loss among male workers who received active support of specific health instructions.
Methods: A longitudinal study design was used. We administered a 6-month health instruction program to persons who underwent a specific health check-up in our center between April 2008 and March 2009, and met the criteria for participating in the program. Among the persons who received active support, 349 males who underwent a specific check-up 1 year after the first support served as the study subjects. Successful weight loss was defined as that of at least 4% 1 year after the first support. We investigated the factors influencing successful weight loss using multiple logistic regression analysis.
Results: A total of 77 (22.1%) subjects succeeded in weight loss of at least 4%. The factors that showed a significant relationship with successful weight loss were: “non- smoking conditions” (multivariable-adjusted odds ratio [OR]: 2.29, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.10-4.78) at the time of the first support; “exercise to an extent that causes a little sweating for at least half an hour” (OR: 2.88, 95% CI: 1.34-6.17), “discontinuation of the habit of snacking between meals and/or late at night almost every day” (OR: 2.63, 95% CI: 1.13-6.13), and “continued non-smoking conditions” (OR: 2.08, 95% CI: 1.03-4.20).
Conclusion: It was suggested that the factors promoting successful weight loss are improving exercise and dietary habits, as well as continuing non-smoking conditions.

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Purpose: Various programs have been conducted to teach the importance of diet for promoting a healthy life. The program participants have improved their knowledge and attitudes, but not their dietary behaviors. A probable cause of this is not having enough proper educational materials that translate the concept of a healthy diet into practical steps for achieving the goal of a healthy diet, but having limited evidence on what and how much they should be eating. We conducted a workshop on this topic to explore if the “3·1·2 Meal Box Magic method for improving dietary habits” (referred to henceforth as “3·1·2 Meal Box Magic”) can show a promise for improving participants' dietary habits.
Methods: Thirty five educators and professionals, including health and physical education teachers, ‘yogo’ teachers, nutrition teachers, and registered dietitians, attended the workshop. In the workshop, (1) A short lecture was given to participants on the concept and usage of the “3·1·2 Meal Box Magic” method. (2) This was connected to the examples of how this method is actually learned. (3) Experiences were made about how to prepare a healthy meal based on “3·1·2 Meal Box Magic.”
Results: The “3·1·2 Meal Box Magic” method has a potential to incorporate health educators' opinions on how to use this method to improve dietary behaviors in the existing education environments.

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