Comparative Study on Physical Condition and Blood Chemistry of Inhabitants in Farm and Fishing Villages in Relation to Their Difference in Mortality from Cerebrovascular Disease

Abstract

In the Tohoku region of Japan, the mortality from cerebrovascular disease is lower in the Pacific coast than in the inland farm area. The inhabitants in a farm- and a fishing-village consisting of 1, 714 and 967 persons respectively of age 40 and over were surveyed for their physical condition and blood chemistry. The farm villagers had shorter stature, lower serum levels of cholesterol, carbon dioxide and calcium, but higher serum level of total base than the fishing villagers. As to body weight, skinfold thickness (in males) and specific gravity of blood (in males), the farm villagers were inferior to the fishing villagers. No significant difference was found in blood pressure level and upper arm circumference between the two villages. Low calcium intake is epidemiologically suspected to be an important cause of high incidence of cerebrovascular disease in the farm villages of the Tohoku region of Japan. © 1969, Tohoku University Medical Press. All rights reserved.