A study of the characteristics of the age-related meal intake tendency of Japanese

Abstract

　We investigated some characteristics of the age-related meal intake tendency of Japanese in comparison with that of Americans.

1　The intake amount of energy of Japanese was highest between 15 and 19 years old. It showed a decrease in their 20s, and it did almost no change until when they become 60s. But the amount showed a decrease again in their 70s. The intake amount of energy of male Americans was highest around their 30s and showed a tendency to decrease with age. As for female Americans, the intake amount of energy kept lower than males.

2　As for the Japanese, the intake of fishery products exceeded that of poultry at the age of approximately 50. And it kept increasing after that.

3　The intake of vegetables of Japanese showed an increase with age. There was little difference between male and female in the amount of vegetable intake.

4　The intake of beans of Japanese showed a drastic increase with age. There was also little difference between male and female in the intake of beans.

5　The intake of fruit of Japanese showed a drastic increase in their 30s and after that with women taking more fruit than men. Although the intake of food as to Americans showed a decrease in accordance with the decline of their physical strength, the intake of fruit did not show any decrease with age.

6　The foods (fishery products, vegetables and pulses), which intake amount Japanese increase with age, are good in nutrition, and will prevent lifestyle-related diseases. In recent years, however, the intake of the above food groups is decreasing in Japan, and so it is really important to utilize various ingredients and to succeed to traditional food.