This study investigated the association of hours of paid work with dietary intake and diet quality among Japanese married women. This cross-sectional study was a secondary analysis of a nationwide population survey in 2013. The analytic sample included 644 married women aged 20–59 years. The participants were categorized into five groups according to hours of paid work per week: 0 (housewives), 1–14, 15–34, 35–42, and ≥43 h. Dietary intake was assessed by a self-administered diet history questionnaire. The Nutrient-Rich Food Index 9.3 (NRF9.3) was used to measure the dietary quality. The association of hours of paid work with dietary intake and NRF9.3 score was assessed using a multivariable general linear regression analysis with adjustments for confounders. Hours of paid work were associated with a higher intake of rice and lower intake of vegetables, potatoes, soy products, and seaweeds and nutrients including protein, dietary fiber, and most vitamins and minerals. Hours of paid work were negatively associated with the NRF9.3 score. This study showed that Japanese married women engaging in paid work, especially those who work long hours, have less healthy diets. Efforts to improve the dietary intake of married women with paid work might be needed.

Studies investigating the effect of the caudal-type homeobox protein 2 (Cdx2) polymorphism in the vitamin D receptor gene and calcium intake on bone mass have shown inconsistent results. This study investigated whether the effect of calcium intake on peak bone mass is affected by Cdx2 polymorphism in young Japanese women. A cross-sectional study of 500 young women was conducted. Dietary intake was assessed by the Food Frequency Questionnaire. The osteo sono-assessment index (OSI), assessed by the qualitative ultrasound method, was used as a bone mass index. The subjects were divided into two groups by the median calcium intake. The OSI was not different among Cdx2 genotypes and between calcium groups (p = 0.960, p = 0.191, respectively). The interaction between calcium and Cdx2 genotypes on the OSI approached significance (GG versus GA and AA genotypes, p = 0.092). The difference in the OSI between calcium groups was significant in the GG genotype (p = 0.028), but not in the GA or AA genotypes (p = 0.501, p = 0.306, respectively). Adjustment for covariates (body mass index and physical activity) did not change the results. In conclusion, the relationship between dietary calcium intake and peak bone mass may vary according to Cdx2 polymorphism.

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Objectives Women's participation in labor force has been increasing; however, married women spend considerable time in housework despite working outside. This double burden may have a negative impact on their health behavior. However, little is known about the relationship between married women's working status and their nutrient intake. Therefore, we aimed to examine the association of working status, considering working hours, with nutrient intake and adequacy among married Japanese women. Methods This cross-sectional study included married women aged 20–59 years. The participants were categorized into 3 groups based on their working status and hours: housewives, part-time workers (who work <35 hours per week), and full-time workers (who work ≥35 hours per week). Dietary intake was assessed using a validated self-administered questionnaire. For each nutrient, the prevalence of participants whose intake did not meet the Japanese Dietary Reference Intakes (DRIs) was compared across the working status. To evaluate the overall nutrient adequacy for each participant, we counted the number of nutrients that did not meet the DRIs. The participants in the highest tertile category for number of nutrients not meeting the DRIs (≥7 of 20 nutrients not meeting the DRIs) were regarded as “low adequacy”. Crude and multivariate odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for low adequacy in each working status group were calculated using logistic regression analysis. Results Among 644 married women, 240 were housewives, 280 were part-time workers, and 126 were full-time workers. The intake of dietary fiber, potassium, magnesium, vitamin B1, vitamin C, and copper was lower in both the part-time and full-time workers than in the housewives. In addition, the full-time workers had a lower intake of folate, calcium, and iron than the housewives. The prevalence of not meeting the DRIs for potassium and magnesium was higher in the full-time workers. Multivariate ORs (95% CIs) for low adequacy in the part-time and the full-time workers were 1.39 (0.96–2.01) and 2.34 (1.48–3.71), respectively, compared with the housewives. Conclusions Working, especially ≥35 hours per week, was negatively associated with nutrient intake adequacy in married Japanese women. Funding Sources Ochanomizu University.