Changes of lifestyle and mental health among COVID-19 situation: resident-centered health promotion

Abstract Background Yuzawa town, located in the Niigata prefecture of Japan, is famous for its hot springs and ski resorts. A sustainable action plan for resident-centered regional health promotion (Yuzawa family health plan) was initiated in 2002. Surveys have been conducted every five years. This study aims to evaluate changes of their habits and mental health status between in 2017 and in 2022. Methods The survey of Yuzawa family health plan was conducted in 2017 and in 2022. Questionnaires were composed with living alone, living with marriage partner, living with son or daughter, living with grandchildren, living with brother or sister, health consciousness, attention to health, health concern, awakening in a morning, clockwork life, fitness habits, smoking, taking alcohol, anxiety, loneliness, consultation, resolve suffering, economic problem, handle stress, taking a rest, risk breaching, communication, life satisfaction, talking with family, job at home, intercommunion with friends, greeting with neighbors, relationship with neighbors, occupations, good sleep, taking breakfast, nutritional balance, mastication status, confirmation of food compositions, exercise habits, yearly health check-up, dental check-up, brushing teeth habits, and sleep satisfactions. Chi square tests were used to evaluate changes between in 2017 and in 2022. This study was approved by the ethics committee of Tokyo Women’s Medical University. Results Passive smoking, intercommunions with neighborhood and friends, exercises, and Salt reduction awareness reduced in 2022. Talking with family, taking a rest, attention to health, clockwork life, and sleep satisfactions increased. Conclusions Many changes were shown between in 2017 and in 2022. Because elderly has been able to use a mobile phone, loneliness was not increased. But numbers of elderly living alone have been increased from 2002. Health promotion programs giving health information for elderly is needed. Key messages • Many lifestyle changes were shown between in 2017 and in 2022. • Passive smoking reduced. Taking a rest and attention to health increased.