Analysis of Differences in Recognition of Shokuiku (Nutrition Education) among Adults at Different Life Stages

The 4th Shokuiku Promotion Basic Plan, which was formulated to solve nutrition-related issues and instill healthy
eating habits in people, calls for promoting shokuiku according to life stages and lifestyles. The study investigated the differences in the awareness of shokuiku among parents of children in kindergartens and nursery schools, university students, and workers in Sanyo-Onoda City. The analysis used data obtained from a survey conducted in the city in 2021 by the Sanyo-Onoda City Health Promotion Division (forms distributed: 1,711, forms collected: 1,508, response rate: 88.2%). The analysis shows that parents and people in district organizations involved in promoting shokuiku have a high level of interest in nutrition, but university students and workers have a low level of interest. A Meal Balance Guide was used by people with a high level of interest in nutrition, but was less likely to be used by people with low interest. As for how to disseminate information about nutrition, although a high percentage said they got it from the Internet, those with a high level of interest tend to get their information from newspapers, magazines, and friends. University students tend not to have opportunities to eat together, but students who are highly interested in nutrition are also more interested in places where they can eat together. By creating links such as these, it may become easier for students to contribute to local nutrition-related issues.