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

2002; Japan Atherosclerosis Society; Volume: 9; Issue: 6 Linguagem: Inglês

10.5551/jat.9.299

1880-3873

Genshi Egusa, Hiroshi Watanabe, Kayo Ohshita, Rumi Fujikawa, Kiminori Yamane, Masamichi Okubo, Nobuoki Kohno,

Adipokines, Inflammation, and Metabolic Diseases

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.