Abstract
Objective: This study aimed to review the conditions and issues of dietary education and health promotion activities in Gunma prefecture which were conducted based on a population approach.
Contents: Gunma prefecture has actively promoted and conducted dietary education under the framework of health promotion measures in its second and third plans. For this, the responsible management unit was first shifted from food safety department to health promotion department, to make it as part of health promotion activities. Second, the local government initiated dietary education promotion councils for the youth and the aged so that it can support its citizens' nutrition and health throughout life. Finally, it introduced a health promoting shop system as part of improving social environment improvement. Under this system, the registered cooparation shops are expected to show nutrition facts and to serve healthy menus. So far, more than 100 industries have already registered to this system. More expansion is awaited and a challenge remains about how to strenthen the ties between the prefecture and these industries.
Conclusion: The local gfovernment should promote dietary education under the umbrella of health promotion activities using a population approach. For this, it is critical to build a network system for multisector cooperation.
