[Follow-up study of obese pupils and their life styles in the lower grades of primary schools].

: Physical examinations and a questionnaire survey of life style were carried out on all pupils (105 boys and 110 girls) at the first grade of primary school in Saigo town, Fuse village, Goka village, and Tsuma village of Shimane prefecture in 1992. In 1994, physical examinations and a questionnaire survey were again performed along with a newly-added blood examination on the same cohort. Parents of the pupils answered the questionnaire. The pupils who were included in both the first (in 1992) and the second (in 1994) examinations and surveys (89 boys and 101 girls, but 71 boys and 77 girls for blood examination) were subjects in this study to analyse the relationship between obesity and life style. The results showed (a) the proportional rates of obese boys and girls increased during the two years; (b) the obesity index of boys and girls in the third grades correlated with the obesity index of their mothers; (c) obese boys ate snacks frequently, had a higher speed in eating, and disliked physical exercise; and (d) the obesity index of boys and girls correlated with serum total cholesterol. These findings indicate that obesity occurs as early as the lower grades of primary schools and that it continues for at least two years.