TITLE:
Providing Physical and Mental Health Support Using Medical Examination Data and Perceived Health
AUTHORS:
Makiko Fukuda, Eiji Marui, Fusako Kagitani
KEYWORDS:
Medical Examination Data, THI Survey, Physical and Mental Health Sciences
JOURNAL NAME:
Health,
Vol.7 No.3,
March
25,
2015
ABSTRACT: Without ascertaining workers’ perceived health, it is difficult to achieve behavioral modification even if health guidance is conducted. To investigate physical and mental health support emphasizing “positive health,” we used the Total Health Index (THI) survey with the purpose of elucidating the association between medical examination data and perceived health. After obtaining medical examination data from 90 men, we analyzed their responses to the THI survey. The results suggested that age and abnormal medical examination data are associated with physical and mental complaints. In the analysis by age group, we found that men in their 20s had more complaints of irregularity of daily life on the THI scale. The group who responded that they were not getting enough sleep had higher mean values of total cholesterol and fasting blood sugar. The group who responded that their meals were irregular had higher mean values of Body Mass Index, aspartate aminotransferase, and alanine aminotransferase. As confirmed by the THI, continuously supporting lifestyle improvement is important. The THI of the “health guidance” group indicated fewer physical health complaints and more aggression/extroversion than the “normal” group. In those for whom health guidance was applicable, participants who were “obese” and “hypertensive” had more aggression/extroversion and lesser extent of nervousness. Based on these findings, it was suggested that meaningful, personalized health support can be developed.