Shugo Yajima|Takehito Takano|Keiko Nakamura|Miki Watanabe
Effectiveness of a community leaders' programme to promote healthy lifestyles in Tokyo, Japan
Tokyo Medical and Dental University
aim study evaluate communitybased health promotion programme terms changing attitudes respect healthy lifestyle ii behaviour respect access healthrelated information iii attitudes health literacy regardless socioeconomic status programme 20 people selected every 2 years municipality lay people community designated members community leaders committee mayor group opportunities gain knowledge skills healthy lifestyles undertake voluntary activities serve community programme intervention sample int group selected programme participants 13 municipalities greater tokyo area questionnaire survey carried int group general population group ref group data obtained female respondents aged 3059 years two sample populations n 662 1361 respectively analysed using 2 test kruskalwallis test multivariate loglinear methods another questionnaire given female programme participants n 200 identify changes since start participation results showed people int group pursuing healthier lifestyles ref group current nonsmokers performed physical exercise ate meals regularly paid attention healthy lifestyle interested relationship food health int ref groups 22 4 people respectively frequently obtained information health professionals 298 108 respectively satisfied access healthrelated information results multivariate loglinear analysis showed significantly people int group exercise eating meals regularly paying attention nutritional balance food additives interested health satisfied access health information excluding effects age socioeconomic factors p 005 results also showed positive changes implementation programme findings indicated people int group significantly likely pursue healthier lifestyle greater health literacy ref group regardless socioeconomic status conclusion community participation approach employing committee style effective improving healthrelated behaviour promoting health literacy overcoming socioeconomic variation