Considerations for Providing Nutrition Education to Children in International Preschools in Japan

Tokita Sayuri, Nanri Akiko, Ohta Masanori, Umeki Yoko

doi:10.14986/shokuiku.18.127

<p>This study aimed to investigate the current status of nutrition education implementation, eating habits, and food preferences among children at home to identify issues to be addressed when providing nutrition education at international preschools. A cross-sectional web-based survey was conducted with 85 parents of 2-5-year-old children who attended two international preschools in Chiba, Japan. In total, 51 parents responded (60.0% response rate), and 37 valid responses were obtained after excluding 2-year-old children (72.5% valid response rate). Children were categorized into two groups: Japanese children whose parents were Japanese, and children whose both or either parent was a non-Japanese. While children whose parent was a non-Japanese (one or both) were not taught traditional greetings or pleasant mealtime conversation skills, they were educated on eating habits and nutrition as carefully as Japanese children whose parents were Japanese. Concerning the food preferences of children, children whose parent was a non-Japanese (one or both) tended to have more food dislikes than those whose parents were Japanese. In conclusion, it is necessary to educate children that exchanging customary greetings and engaging in pleasant conversations during mealtime are parts of Japanese culture; diverse food preferences among children in international preschools must be taken into account.</p>

Considerations for Providing Nutrition Education to Children in International Preschools in Japan

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