Based on the community health examination data (1980-1996) for inhabitants of Takasu, a rural town in Central Hokkaido, long-term changes in body mass index and prevalence of anemia were studied.
The results were as follows:
1) Median BMIs increased gradually during the observation period in all age groups in males, whereas in females median BMI did not clearly change in their 50's to 70's and decreased gradually in their 30's and 40's.
2) Median BMIs increased gradually with age in both sexes.
3) Median blood hemoglobin levels did not clearly change during the observation period in both sexes.
4) The rate of iron-deficiency anemia was supposed to increase gradually during the observation period in females in their 30's and 40's.