Introduction

  Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a risk factor of cardiovascular and metabolic complications that is associated with death, and thus an important public health target. The Japanese Ministry of Health, Labour, and Welfare started a new health care strategy including standardized and individualized lifestyle guidance. However, more than 4 million middle-aged people have still MetS and the number is increasing. Therefore, more effective preventive strategies are desired to reduce the morbidity associated with MetS.

Our mission

　To prevent obesity & metabolic syndrome by intensive health guidance focusing on mastication.

Overview of activity

　We performed intensive health guidance focusing on mastication for improved eating quickly to residents aged 40–74 years in Japan. As results, after one year intervention, the waist circumference decreased (Mean; -2.7 cm) and the prevalence of MetS decreased by 57.1%.

Expected effects

　The health guidance focusing on mastication (eating quickly) may be an effective public health strategy for controlling MetS and the related mortality throughout learning the preventive methods in health providers.