Food Consumption Trends in Japanese Children and Adolescents: The National Health and Nutrition Survey, 2001–2019

Abstract

Background: While unhealthy dietary trends, such as elevated confectionery consumption and decreased fruit intake, have been documented in adults, the longitudinal patterns of food consumption during childhood remain inadequately characterized. This study aimed to describe national trends in food group intakes among children and adolescents in Japan. Methods: Data on participants aged 1–19 years in the National Health and Nutrition Survey from 2001 to 2019 (n = 37,072) were used in this study. A 1-day, semi-weighed, household-based dietary record was used to assess dietary intake. Results: Decreasing trends in the intakes of animal-based foods, potatoes and starches, sugars and sweeteners, fruits (annual percentage change [APC] range: −5.04 to −0.62), algae, fish and shellfish (APC range: −3.22 to −2.02), eggs, milks, fats and oils, and confectionery were observed, while intakes of meats (APC range: 1.02 to 1.92) and beverages (APC range: 1.36 to 2.51) increased. Consumption of plant-based foods, cereals, legumes, nuts and seeds, vegetables, and mushrooms was mostly unchanged, whereas variable intakes of seasonings and spices were observed. Conclusions: This study showed that the intakes of many food groups (e.g., fruits, fish and shellfish, and milk) decreased among children and adolescents, but some increased (e.g., meats and beverages) or remained stable (e.g., cereals and vegetables). Further evidence is needed to enable policymakers to set target interventions to improve children’s diets.