This research aimed to determine,from the standpoint of cultural education of dietary habits, the present conditions of, and problems with, school lunches and milk consumption by administering a questionnaire to junior college students and parents of three primary schoolchildren.
About sixty percent of primary school children liked the milk provided with their school lunch service, and about ten percent disliked it. Ninety percent of primary school children could drink up all the milk (200 cc). However, among children in the lower grades, twenty percent often could not drink all the milk given to them. About eighty percent of the school children could drink milk with boiled rice without experiencing any unpleasant feelings.In addition to school lunches, many respondents suggested that drinking milk “after physical education class” would be a good idea. Drinking milk after sports helps physical recovery; therefore, it is thought to be very desirable for children to drink milk after engaging in sports.
About twenty percent of the college students drank more than 200 cc of milk per day. Most of them thought the milk was provided as part of the school lunch service to increase calcium intake.
Concerning the merits of school lunches, about ninety percent of parents replied that the nutrient balance of the school lunches was regulated well. Respondents desired to see improvements in the use of local foods,as well as the increased inclusion of special event foods and local dishes. Additionally, most said that the school lunch time should be lengthened. As a result of this study, it is necessary to reconsider the time that, and the combination of dishes with which, milk is given at school. In consideration of the present conditions, we suggest that school children experience delicious Japanese traditional home cooking as part of their school lunch service and that they learn more about Japanese food culture.
