Epidemiology of pediatric allergic diseases in the Ogasawara Islands

A lower prevalence of pediatric allergic diseases, particularly bronchial asthma (9.3%) and atopic dermatitis (4.3%), was found among children in the Ogasawara Islands compared to mainland Japan, suggesting a potential protective effect of the island's unique living environment and higher physical activity levels. The study, conducted using standardized questionnaires from the International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood (ISAAC) and West Japan Study, surveyed 284 children across preschools, elementary schools, and junior high schools. It also highlighted differences in lifestyle factors, such as exercise habits, which may contribute to these findings.

Okada, Y., Kumagai, H., Morikawa, Y., & Akasawa, A. (2016). Epidemiology of pediatric allergic diseases in the Ogasawara Islands. Allergology International, 65(1), 37–43. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.alit.2015.06.010