The purpose of this study was to evaluate the validity of two different measures of physical activity under normal living conditions. The 24-hour physical activity diary method (24 HD) and accelerometer (Lifecorder) were analyzed. Total daily energy expenditure (TDEE) and daily varia tion of energy expenditure (EE) were compared employing the two measures in conjunction with the minute-by-minute heart rate method (Flex HR) in middle-aged people with a mean age of 57.9 yr (N =17), and in young people (college students) with a mean age of 23.5 yr (N=11) . The TDEE as measured by the 24HD and Lifecorder was 2576.4±514.7kcal·d^-1 and 1973.1±290.2kcal·d^-1 respectively. The TDEE as measured by the Flex HR method was 2718.3±625.5kcal·d^-1. The TDEE as measured by the Lifecorder method was significantly lower than that of the Flex HR method (p<0.01), The correlation coefficient (r) for the 24 HD and FlexHR measured values for TDEE (kcal/day) was 0.64 (p<0.01), and that for Lifecorder and Flex HR was 0.38. The daily variation of energy expenditure pattern measured by Lifecorder was similar to that of the Flex HR ; 24 HD measurements, on the other hand, were slightly lower than Flex HR measurements during the afternoon period. The 24 HD method was reasonably accurate in the testing. The daily variation of energy expenditure measured pattern by Lifecorder was similar to that of the Flex HR method ; but the fact that the TDEE results were underestimated suggests that the Lifecorder method has merit in the measurement of daily activity patterns. It follows from this that to improve measurement of the TDEE, it is necessary to modify the Lifecorder method of calculating the algorithm,

OBJECTIVEThe purpose of this study is to delineate the association between residents' perception of the neighborhood's environments and walking time in objectively different regions in Japan.

METHODSTwo regions were selected as high and low walkable regions on the basis of differences in their residential density, mixed land use and street connectivity. The subjects in this study were participants in a health promotion program focused on walking sponsored by local governments. A questionnaire was sent to the participants asking about how their perception of the neighborhood's environment related to walking, and the time spent walking per week. There were 237 residents from the high walkable region and 195 from the low walkable region who completed the study survey.

RESULTSThe high walkable region had a larger residential density, a high mixed land use and a higher street connectivity than the low walkable region. Walking time, and the scores of the perception of the neighborhood's environment for the high walkable region residents were significantly higher than those for the low walkable region residents. Thus, residents' perception of the neighborhood's environment generally reflected the actual physical environmental characteristics. Residents in the high walkable region whose scores for accessibility and aesthetics were high, spent significantly more walking time. Residents in the low walkable region whose scores for accessibility, safety, convenience and aesthetics were high, spent significantly more walking time.

CONCLUSIONThe study results suggested that the neighborhood's environment may influence daily walking time. The perceptions of the neighborhood's environmental factors that correlate with walking times differ between the different regional physical environments. Therefore, to promote physical activity, the consideration of environmental factors unique to residents' neighborhood's environments is needed.

OBJECTIVESTo examine the effects of β(3)-adrenergic receptor gene polymorphism on body weight change during a weight reduction program for middle-aged, overweight women with careful consideration of their energy intake and expenditure.

METHODS

DESIGNIntervention study of weight reduction for 12 weeks in a community setting.

SUBJECTSEighty overweight middle-aged women who completed the individualized lifestyle modification program.

MEASUREMENTSβ(3)-adrenergic receptor gene polymorphism was identified by polymerase chain reaction and consecutive restriction fragment-length polymorphism analysis. Anthropometrical parameters, lifestyle factors, blood lipid and glucose levels, physical activity level and energy intake were measured before and at the end of the program.

RESULTSThe numbers of subjects with the Trp64Trp, Trp64Arg, and Arg64Arg genotypes were 45, 30 and 5, respectively. Baseline characteristics among subjects with the 64Arg allele had significantly smaller decrease in body weight and energy intake than those without the 64Arg allele. The change of other clinical characteristics did not differ between the two groups. After adjusting for the %change of energy intake, the %change of body weight did not differ between the two groups.

CONCLUSIONThe 64Arg allele of the β(3)-AR gene is not likely to be the factor determining the difficulty in losing body weight in Japanese middle-aged, overweight women. Lifestyle factors, such as the decrease in energy intake, might mask the effect of the 64Arg allele on body weight loss. Specific considerations for the management of energy intake would be needed to promote body weight loss for those with the 64Arg allele.

OBJECTIVEPrevious studies on the association between physical activity (PA) and neighborhood environments (NE) focused on either objectively measuring the NE or the residents' perception of NE. Here, we investigate which actual or perceived NE is associated with residents' PA in Japan.

METHODSTwo regions with an objectively assessed high and low residential density, land use mix-diversity, and street connectivity, respectively, were identified in one city. The subjects were selected using a stratified random sampling method by sex and age in each region. The NE of the subjects was objectively measured using the Geographic Information System (GIS), and the subjects' perception of the NE was assessed using a questionnaire. The daily total number of walking steps was measured with an accelerometer, and walking and cycling time were assessed by a questionnaire.

RESULTSFor the female subjects, the mean cycling time, subjectively assessed as a means of transport, was significantly longer in the group with a high GIS score for the number of land use types, while the score for total number of walking steps was significantly higher among those who were aware of places to walk to, and cycling time for transport was longer for those who perceived an accessibility to post offices, banks/credit unions, gymnasiums/fitness facilities, and amusement facilities in their neighborhood. For the male subjects, the score for walking time for leisure was longer for those who perceived aesthetics and an accessibility to parks, and the score for total walking steps was significantly higher for those who perceived an accessibility to bookstores or rental video stores in their neighborhood.

CONCLUSIONSThe results to this study demonstrate that daily PA was high among female subjects living in a NE with land use mix-diversity, and who had an awareness of places to walk to and the accessibility to facilities for daily necessities in their neighborhood. For male subjects, daily PA was high among those who perceived the aesthetics of and accessibility to facilities for pleasure in their neighborhood. Further research is needed to determine the association between PA and NE on the basis of sex differences.