In order to examine the regional differences in the dietary habits of residents in Wakayama Prefecture, a nutrition survey was conducted in November, 1986 following the method used for the National Nutrition Survey. The subjects, 752 households in Wakayama Prefecture, were divided into four groups by regions; urban, plain rural, mountainous rural and fishing villages. The results were as follows:
1) In comparison with the nutrient intakes of Japanese as a whole, the subjects' intakes of fat, iron, vitamins and fat energy ratio were lower, but those of protein and fats derived from animal sources and energy derived from cereals were higher. As regards regional differences, the residents of the mountainous rural area had far lower intakes of fat, vitamin A, vitamin B
1 and vitamin B
2 and a much higher intake of carbohydrates.
2) As to the intake of food groups, the subjects consumed less wheat, potatoes, vegetables, oils and fats, seasonings, beverages, eggs, milk and dairy products than the national average. This was especially notable in the mountainous rural area. On the other hand, much more rice, sugars, fishes and shellfishes were consumed in Wakayama Prefecture as a whole.
3) The ratio of energy derived from rice to total energy was respectively 48.8% in mountainous rural, 42.2% in fishing villages, 41.9% in plain rural and 39.5% in urban areas. All are higher than the national average of 36.1%. The intakes of nutrients such as fat, iron and vitamins were lower than the national average, presumably because of the lower intakes of meat, eggs, milk and dairy products.
The above results indicate that the residents in Wakayama Prefecture maintain the traditional rice-based dietary habits, and that there were marked regional differences. The residents living in the urbanized region took better-balanced diets than others, while those in the mountainous rural region retained the traditional dietary habits of consuming much more rice.
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