Relationship between the variety of food consumed and sufficient nutrition in middle‐aged Japanese

Abstract

Purpose

Developed countries have devised guidelines for various eating habits, many of which simply recommend “eating various foods” without specifying how much food the individual should consume each day. The authors aimed to examine the relationship between the variety of food consumed and the probability of nutritional adequacy in middle‐aged Japanese.

Design/methodology/approach

In total, 215 subjects (102 men and 113 women) provided complete dietary records for seven days in each of the winter, spring, summer and autumn. Subjects were categorized into groups of five according to the amount of each food eaten per day, calculated energy, and nutrients in the food. Results were compared with respective indicators of nutrition defined by the Dietary Reference Intakes for Japanese (2010).

Findings

The percentage of overweight subjects was higher in the group that did not consume a wide variety of foods. Intake of energy, calcium, zinc, magnesium, vitamins B1, B2 and C were insufficient in the subjects who did not consume a wide variety of foods. Although a trend toward sufficient nutrient intake was observed in the group that consumed a variety of foods, the estimated average requirement for several nutrients such as calcium and zinc was below accepted standards for good nutrition.

Originality/value

The variety of foods eaten is related to the adequacy of intake levels of certain nutrients and to body mass index in middle‐aged Japanese subjects. Eating a wide variety of foods is important to ensuring adequate nutrient intake.

Citation

Kobayashi, M., Iwasaki, M. and Tsugane, S. (2013), "Relationship between the variety of food consumed and sufficient nutrition in middle‐aged Japanese", Nutrition & Food Science, Vol. 43 No. 4, pp. 344-355. https://doi.org/10.1108/NFS-11-2012-0121