Influence of the Extent of Westernization of Lifestyle on the Progression of Preclinical Atherosclerosis in Japanese Subjects

Abstract

To clarify the influence of a westernized lifestyle on the risk factors for atherosclerosis and preclinical atherosclerosis in Japanese subjects, we surveyed a Japanese population and Japanese immigrants in the United States. Based on the extent of westernization of their lifestyle, the subjects were classified as Japanese (J), first generation Japanese-Americans (JA-I), and second or later generation Japanese-Americans (JA-II). The consumption of animal fat and simple carbohydrates increased in the order of J, JA-I, and JA-II, while the subjects with strenuous physical activity decreased in the same order. The waist-hip ratio, fasting insulin level, serum cholesterol and triglyceride levels, and prevalence of hypertension increased in the same order as the dietary changes. The carotid intima-media wall thickness and the plaque size, which are indices of preclinical atherosclerosis, also increased in the order of J, JA-I, and JA-II. These data indicate that a westernized lifestyle aggravates the risk factors for atherosclerosis and influences the progression of preclinical atherosclerosis, in correspondence with the extent of westernization.

Nutritional Characteristics of Middle-Aged Japanese Vegetarians

“…JV men had a significantly lower ratio of starchy food intake (total intake of cereals and starchy vegetables to total food intake, not shown in the table; JV 38.7 10.0, JNV 48.4 11.1, p 0.01) and significantly higher dietary fiber intake than JNV men. Some studies showed that low carbohydrate intake 39,40) , and a low glycemic index diet (40% carbohydrates, 35% fat) 41) decreased serum triacylglyceride values. A lower ratio of starchy food intake to total food intake and significantly higher dietary fiber intake may relate to significantly lower serum triacylglyceride values in JV men in the present study.…”

Development of a Food Frequency and Quantity Method for Assessing Dietary Habits of Japanese Individuals -Comparison with Results from 24hr Recall Dietary Survey

“…Japan has experienced a westernization of dietary habits and the nutrient intake pattern has changed, resulting in a change in CVD risk factors, including serum lipid profiles 19,[25][26][27][28] . Requests are increasing for a dietary assessment method that enables medical workers to practice effective dietary intervention, and the development of a sophisticated method to estimate long-term usual intake is needed.…”

Understanding Obesity and the Influence of Acculturation on Metabolic Responses in East Asian Populations in the United States

“…Japanese who migrated to the U.S., had a significant increase in insulin levels and dietary fat consumption compared to Japanese in Hiroshima (Egusa et al, 2002;Nakanishi et al, 2004). Japanese Americans had a higher fat intake, especially of animal origin saturated fats than native Japanese.…”

“…Obesity, particularly central obesity, is associated with insulin resistance. Physical activity/exercise are associated with reduced insulin resistance (Bergfors et al, 2005;Bruce & Hawley, 2004;Devlin & Horton, 1985), whereas increased total energy and fat intake increases insulin resistance (Chang et al, 2000;Egusa et al, 2002;Kawate et al, 1979; M. M. Lee et al, 1994;Manson & Spelsberg, 1994;Nakanishi et al, 2004;Sun & Chen, 1994). An increased level of acculturation in East Asians was expected to be related to an increased consumption of high fat diets and reduced physical activity.…”