Lifestyle Habits Associated with Poor Defecation Habit among Pupils in Japan

PURPOSE: Not enough attention has been paid to defecation habits in Japan. This study aimed to emphasize the importance of defecation habits on health and function in Japanese pupils. METHODS: Using multiple regression analysis, 2,722 questionnaires obtained from pupils in grades 5 to 12 were analyzed to determine lifestyle habits associated with defecation frequency. RESULTS: Significant regression formulae for defecation scores were obtained for all school types: elementary school (ES) (adjusted R(2)=0.08, p<0.001), junior high school (JHS) (0.09, p<0.001), and senior high school (SHS) (0.15, p<0.001). The following factors were associated with poorer defecation scores, according to school type: female gender (all 3 school types), breakfast skipping (elementary and JHSs), lower physical activity (JHSs and SHSs), and longer school-day screen time (elementary and SHSs). In addition, poorer self-reported academic performance scores in ES, less standardized body mass index (BMI) in JHS, and shorter non-school- day screen time scores in SHS, were associated with poorer defecation scores. CONCLUSION: Poor defecation frequency showed significant associations with various lifestyle habits, such as breakfast skipping, physical activity, and screen time, among pupils. Academic performance and standardized BMI were also associated with defecation frequency. More attention should be paid to defecation frequency to sustain health and function in pupils.