Approach to the issue of food and nutrition for school-age children in Japan

Abstract

The eating habits of children aged 6 to 12 years are more important than adults' because they not only promote life and health, but also growth. This article explains the current issue of food and nutrition for school-age children in Japan and discusses the approach to solving it.

When we look back at the heights and weights of children in the past 40 years as an index of nutrition status, we see that their body types have improved. However, there are differences with respect to age and region. There were more overweight and underweight children aged 10 years and over and more overweight children in thinly populated regions. Skipping breakfast, an unbalanced diet, and eating fast are the major unhealthy eating habits among children. Skipping breakfast has particularly been shown as being related to excess weight and lower academic and physical scores.

To improve children's nutrition status, the Japanese government has been providing school lunches, and this has contributed to improving children's nutrition status. In addition to the school lunch system, the government has started to train food and nutrition teachers who are licensed dietitians as well as teachers to promote nutrition education in schools. It has been a long time since food and nutrition teachers have been trained, and many schools now provide nutrition education.

However, it has been pointed out that there is no evidence of food and nutrition education programs, even though many schools have conducted them. It is necessary to show visible accomplishments. Furthermore, the social divide is also creating a problem with regard to children's nutrition status. Some regions have started to provide free or inexpensive meals and school lunches to children from poor families. The issue of food and nutrition for children is becoming complex and varies among individual children, so food and nutrition teachers and school dietitians should adopt a professional approach and work in collaboration with other teachers.