In recent years, lifestyle-related diseases such as obesity and diabetes have been on the rise, and medical costs have been rising accordingly. The Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (MHLW) has introduced the concept of metabolic syndrome in order to overcome this situation, and has begun to focus on the following：
- Metabolic syndrome health checkups (specific health checkups) will be mandatory for people over 40
↓ - Early detection of high risk individuals (men and women with abdominal circumference of 85 cm or more and symptoms of hyperglycemia,
↓ - Prevention of disease onset through behavioral changes such as diet and exercise (specific health guidance)
↓ - Reducing health care costs
However, it is so difficult to change behaviors, especially food and exercise, once they are acquired (behavioral change), and to continue to do so, that it is almost impossible to change a person's behavior. For example, telling people at high
risk for metabolic syndrome that complications such as blindness and dialysis may occur in a few years' time will not be effective. In order to encourage them to change their behavior, it is important that they see it as their own business.
In addition, continuity cannot be sustained by forcing people to do things or being enthusiastic about it. Overseas studies have reported that more than 90% of people rebound after five years, so it is important to design a "system" that allows
people to continue. Thus, it takes time and effort for a new behavior to take root as a habit. On the other hand, while close face-to-face instruction is useful, there are still issues of manpower and cost.
Therefore, I started to support
behavioral change and continuation by using an e-learning learning management system (LMS).