Typical food selections of Japanese children living in the United States: Comparison with the recommendations of the U.S.D.A. Food Guide Pyramid

Abstract

The extent of change in the diets of 59 Japanese children, 6 to 12 years old and living in the U.S. for 1 to 8 years was examined in a cross‐sectional study. In addition, diets were compared to the recommendations of the U.S.D.A. Food Guide Pyramid. The most significant dietary behavioral change over 4 or more years of residency within the U.S. was the increase in milk/cheese/yogurt consumption from 0.6 to 1.7 servings per day. Thirty‐nine percent of children consumed as many as 6 servings of the bread/cereal/rice/pasta group. White rice was the major cereal consumed. Fifty‐nine percent of the children consumed at least 3 servings of the vegetable group, 45% consumed at least 2 servings of the fruit group, 17% of the children consumed 2 or more servings of the milk/yogurt/cheese group, and 97% of children consumed 2 or more servings from the meat/poultry/fish/legumes/eggs/nuts group.