We aim to clarify the behaviors toward noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) prevention focusing on lifestyle-related diseases and physical health status and examine their relationship among community-dwelling women in Indonesia. This cross-sectional study included women aged 45 years and older. Data were collected through an interview using a structured questionnaire; the following parameters were also measured: height, weight, body mass index (BMI), blood pressure (BP), handgrip strength, and 10 m gait speed. This study found that the majority of women adopted one or more healthy behaviors to prevent NCDs, while few women practiced comprehensive behaviors. Age, satisfaction with house income, living alone, social support, social participation, and household decision making were the determinant factors for behaviors toward NCDs prevention. A high prevalence of underweight (26.4%), overweight (31.9%), obesity (5.6%), high systolic blood pressure (SBP) (62.5%), and low muscle strength (54.2%) were frequently observed. Eating well-balanced meals, avoiding fatty foods, and undergoing blood cholesterol testing had significant correlations with physical health status. It is concluded that the activities at Posyandu Lansia (health village posts for older adults) are necessary to help women with unhealthy eating behaviors and lower physical activity and unawareness of health checkups to maintain focus and to develop a more practical approach to NCDs prevention.

This study aimed to examine the relationship between one’s physical status related to non-communicable diseases (NCDs) and social isolation, and to identify lifestyle behaviors for the prevention of NCDs associated with social isolation among community-dwelling older adults in Japan. A cross-sectional study was conducted to investigate lifestyle behaviors for NCD prevention associated with social isolation in Japanese adults aged 60 years and above in a community setting. Out of 57 participants, 17.5% were not socially participative, 66.7% hardly ever, 29.8% sometimes, and 3.5% often felt loneliness. Non-social participation and loneliness were negatively related to the frequency of vegetable and fruit intake. Additionally, loneliness was positively associated with one’s duration of smoking and current smoking habits, and negatively associated with the frequency of moderate-intensity activities, with marginal significance. Those with non-social participation or loneliness were less likely to eat a healthy diet and live a smoke-free lifestyle. The findings of this study suggest that a mutual health support system in the community and the development of community-based approaches for the prevention of NCDs among Japanese older adults are needed.

In Japan, secondhand smoke (SHS) exposure in children has changed with increased heated tobacco products (HTPs) and electronic cigarettes (e-cigs) use. We clarified the status of home-based SHS exposure among children, including HTPs and e-cigs, as well as maternal perceptions on SHS avoidance and examined its association with health risks. This cross-sectional questionnaire-survey-based study included 379 mothers who were raising children aged < 5 years. We found that 31.1 % of the children had home-based SHS exposure, with widespread HTP and e-cig use among smoking mothers and family members (74.2 % and 67.0 %, respectively). Significantly (p < 0.05), HTP and cigarettes were used in the kitchen and gardens/balconies, and maternal perceptions of child SHS-exposure avoidance were lower among smokers than non-smokers. Non-smoking mothers also had low perceptions of smoking on balconies and having immediate post-smoking contact with their children (27.6 % and 27.9 %, respectively). Most non-smoking mothers (76.4 %) reported that they do not encourage family members to quit smoking. The structural equation model showed that the presence of smoking at home and low maternal perceptions was correlated with SHS-related child health risks, including respiratory diseases, otitis media, and dental caries. HTP and e-cig use in the household has been rapidly increasing even among mothers and family members, and the presence of smokers at home and low maternal perceptions may be associated with child health risks. Increasing the maternal awareness of the child health risks of home-based SHS, including HTPs and e-cigs, along with continued smoking-cessation support involving mothers and families, is indispensable.