The change of dietary habits and the resultant changes in health of Japanese children

Abstract

The energy intake of 6 year old Japanese girls has increased every year from 1430 kcal (5983 KJ) in 1954 to a high of 1884 kcal (7882 KJ) in 1971, and then gradually decreased reaching 1627 kcal (6807 KJ) in 1994. The proportion of food energy from carbohydrate of 6 year old Japanese girls has decreased every year from 73% in 1954 to 53% in 1994. On the other hand, both the fat and the animal protein proportions have increased from 14% to 32% and from 4.6% to 8.8% between 1954 and 1994, respectively. These changes are thought to be caused by economic development, changes in the structure of agriculture, introduction of the school lunch system, and changes in food choices. Health status indicators such as physique and incidence of tuberculosis have also improved. On the other hand, the numbers of children who are obese, have high cholesterol levels, or are allergic, has increased as fat and animal protein content has increased in meals. The traditional Japanese diet contained more carbohydrate, fish and vegetables than today's diet. It is recommended that Japanese parents use a more traditional Japanese diet than they do at present. Schools are ideal places for the nutritional education of pupils while local government and health professional societies also have an important role in the nutritional education of children and parents.