Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 3, 2026

Determining Soil-transmitted Helminth Infection Status and Physical Fitness of School-aged Children
Published on: August 22, 2012
Lifestyles and psychosomatic symptoms among elementary school students and junior high school students
Yuriko Isshiki1, Kanehisa Morimoto
1Department of Social and Environmental Medicine, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Fl, 2-2 Yamada-oka, 565-0871, Suita, Osaka, Japan.
Objectives:
To examine the relationship between lifestyles and psychosomatic symptoms in children, we conducted a self-administered questionnaire survey of elementary school students and junior high school students in Japan.
Methods:
We designed an original questionnaire to investigate the lifestyles and psychosomatic symptoms of children. In 1997, responses to the questionnaires were elicited from public elementary school fourth grade students (then aged 9-10) and public junior high school seventh grade students (then aged 12-13). The survey was repeated annually for three years as the students advanced through school.
Results:
For both boys and girls, each cross-sectional analysis revealed a strong relationship between lifestyle behaviors and psychosomatic symptoms. Psychosomatic, symptoms scores varied according to daily hours of sleep, eating of breakfast, having strong likes and dislikes of food, bowel habits, and daily hours of television watching. Both boys and girls with "good" lifestyle, behaviors evaluated by the HPI (Health Practice Index) showed lower scores for psychosomatic symptoms.
Conclusions:
These findings show that the lifestyle behaviors of children are significantly associated with psychosomatic symptoms and suggest that poor lifestyle behaviors are likely to increase physical and psychological health risks.
Related Concept Videos
Introduction to Stress and Lifestyle
Lifestyle Factors and Health
Benefits of Physical Activity
Physical activity, whether through structured exercise or casual activities like walking, biking, or dancing, is a cornerstone of a...
Assessment of the Gastrointestinal System II: Health Perception Pattern
Health Perception Patterns
Health perception patterns offer valuable insights into a patient's lifestyle habits and how they may impact their GI health. These patterns include:
Factors Affecting Illness
For instance, risk factors are connected to illness, disability,...
Cross-Sectional Research
Stress and Mental Health
Individuals with depression often experience challenges in both their personal and professional...
