Factors associated with activity limitation used to calculate healthy life expectancy according to Health Japan 21 (the second term): analysis of national health statistics data

Abstract

Objectives: We examined whether selected factors were associated with activity limitation used to calculate the healthy life expectancy in accordance with the target of Health Japan 21 (the second term). Methods: Data for 6251 subjects were obtained from the Comprehensive Survey of Living Conditions and the National Health and Nutrition Survey, both of which were conducted by the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare of Japan in 2010. The age-adjusted odds ratios (AOR) of limitation of activity for the assessed factors were estimated using a logistic model. Results:, The percentage of persons with activity limitation was 12.1% of men and 15.6% of women. For men, low body mass index (BMI) (AOR: 2.02, p=0.008), high blood pressure (AOR: 1.53, p=0.021), high hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) (AOR: 1.99, p=0.000), a small number of steps (AOR: 1.68, p=0.002), and high intake of salt (AOR: 0.69, p=0.010) were significantly associated with limitation of activity. For women, high BMI (AOR: 1.49, p=0.003), a small number of steps (AOR: 1.48, p=0.009), and high intake of salt (AOR: 0.77, p=0.017) were significantly associated with activity limitation. Conclusion: We identified several factors that were associated with activity limitation. Our results from cross-sectional data require careful interpretation before concluding whether these relationships are causal

Keywords

• healthy life expectancy
• national health and nutrition survey
• health promotion
• health statistics
• epidemiology