A new lecture "Eat more sea food" at Medical Management Schools (Hoyo-Kenshin)

Introduction
We have held medical management schools (MMS) at Shiobara spa in Tochigi, Japan for the past 11 years for the purpose of preventing lifestyle-related diseases.

Methods
After undergoing health examination at this Center, the participants were transferred to the Shiobara spa resort hotel where they received lectures on health management and follow-up guidance from physicians, nurses and dietitians. (Int J Stroke 2006; 1: Suppl 1: 72) A new promotional lecture “Eat more sea food” was started using slides of cooked local and seasonal sea food. Three spa bathing courses were established for healthy persons, diabetic patients and hypertension patients. The spa has a natural sodium chloride and bicarbonate spring, including Japanese traditional baths. Participants were also introduced to and encouraged to enjoy 7 walking courses around the facility.

Results
The number of participants has grown from 176 to 366 over the past 11 years. They were able to have a better understanding of their illnesses through the lectures of “Eat more sea food” as the lectures “Eat more fruit and vegetables”. They also expressed considerable interest in methods for preparing local and seasonal sea food, and this was considered to help prevent lifestyle-related diseases. However, effects of bathing and walking clearly linked to lifestyle-related diseases were not observed.

Discussion
Although the increases in the number of participants were believed to indicate the importance of MMS and to support continuation of MMS, 2 days was too short for assessing lifestyle-related diseases ameliorative effects. It will therefore be important to improve the contents and methods of MMS, and it will be necessary to lengthen the stay of participants and to judge the significant effects targeted at specific illnesses.