Change of food preference on the fish dishes among the Japanese children in the day nurseries

－from 1996 to 2012－

Abstract

　This study shows the seafood preference of the children aged 3-6 in Japan. We have conducted questionnaire surveys across the country in 1996, 2001, 2006 and 2012 and total responded number was 6,550.

（1）About 70% of the children liked seafood in each survey. The ratio of children’s meat preference was higher than that of the seafood preference in 2006 and 2012 survey.

（2）As for the seafood preference ratio by region, children live in the urban area indicated higher ratio and contrary to that children live in inland area indicated lower ratio in 1996. In 2012, children live in the urban area indicated the same higher ratio of seafood as in 1996 while difference with inland area became smaller.　In 1996 survey, seaside children showed lower ratio of meat preference compared to the other region, however in 2012 every region’s children preferred meat to seafood. Concerning this point, we assume that children like meat as well as seafood, and meat preference do not depend on their region but intake of meat have been increased generally.

（3）Regard to seafood cooking methods, children liked baked, raw/sasimi and boiled. The ratio of raw/sasimi preference was decreased 5% in 2012 compared to 2006.

（4）Children preferred shrimp, tuna, salmon, short-necked clams and shirasu among 18 kinds of seafood which we have picked up in questionnaire, and the type of fish preference ratio was decreased in all kinds except tuna and salmon in 2012.

（5）Children’s seafood preference was influenced by their parents’ preference, however in 2012 those influence factors such as parent’s cooking ability of seafood and serving frequency at dinner were decreased and we assume, because of these, children’s seafood preference was decreased.