An unbalanced diet and low weight in women of childbearing age are becoming more common and are considered as important health problems in Japan. The “Dietary Guideline for Pregnancy and Lactation” was revised in 2006, and shows the proper weight increase during pregnancy based on pre-pregnancy BMI, and nutrition education for the pregnant woman and family. A nationwide survey was conducted among registered dietitians at those medical facilities offering obstetrics and gynecology to identify how nutrition assessment and nutrition education were being applied. The response rate was 16.0% (n=208). The respective application of nutrition assessment to outpatients and inpatients was 22.7% and 30.7%, while 31.8-39.8% received nutrition education based on appropriate energy and nutrients. These results suggest that it may be necessary to revise the system for providing nutrition education to the relevant patients. The answers from the medical facilities show that there was no coordinated system with another organization in 58.7% of cases. Comprehensive action for women of childbearing age and expected mothers is necessary to provide cooperation between the community and medical facilities.
