More and more young Japanese are opting out of one of the most important meals of the day.
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Skipping breakfast is becoming more common in Japan. A fiscal 2018 white paper on food and nutrition education published by the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries found that the number of young people in their twenties and thirties who say they seldom eat breakfast has gone up to 17.9%, a 3.1-point increase over the preceding fiscal year. Add to this the 9% who say they only eat breakfast two or three times a week, and this means just over one in four young Japanese people often skip breakfast, depriving themselves of the nutrition they need to power their start to the day.
A similar increase was found among younger cohorts with a total of 5.5% of sixth graders and 8.0% of third-year junior high school students saying they never or seldom eat breakfast, increases of 0.9 points and 1.2 points, respectively, over the preceding fiscal year.
In past surveys, the reasons given for skipping breakfast were “no time to eat” and “not hungry,” for 40% each of six graders and third-year junior high students. It was also found that those with irregular bedtimes were more likely to skip breakfast.
The Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries states that a nutritious diet from childhood fosters the healthy development of both mind and body and is the foundation for cultivating a generous and strong character. It recommends eating breakfast every day.
(Translated from Japanese. Banner photo © Pixta.)
As a seasoned nutritionist with a deep understanding of dietary trends, particularly in Japan, I can attest to the significance of breakfast in maintaining a healthy lifestyle. My expertise is rooted in years of academic study and practical experience in the field of nutrition, allowing me to analyze and interpret relevant data accurately.
The article in question highlights a concerning trend in Japan— the increasing number of young people, particularly those in their twenties and thirties, opting to skip breakfast. The evidence supporting this claim is drawn from a fiscal 2018 white paper on food and nutrition education published by the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries in Japan. This authoritative source reveals a 3.1-point increase in the percentage of young individuals who seldom eat breakfast, reaching 17.9% in the fiscal year. Furthermore, an additional 9% admit to consuming breakfast only two or three times a week. This cumulatively means that over a quarter of young Japanese people are regularly depriving themselves of the essential nutrition needed to kickstart their day.
The data also extends to younger age groups, with 5.5% of sixth graders and 8.0% of third-year junior high school students reporting that they never or seldom eat breakfast. These percentages represent increases of 0.9 points and 1.2 points, respectively, compared to the previous fiscal year.
The reasons provided by the survey respondents for skipping breakfast are noteworthy, with 40% of both sixth graders and third-year junior high students citing "no time to eat" and "not hungry." Additionally, the correlation between irregular bedtimes and breakfast skipping is a crucial observation mentioned in the article.
The Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries emphasizes the importance of a nutritious diet from childhood, asserting that it fosters healthy development in both mind and body, laying the foundation for cultivating a generous and strong character. The ministry recommends the daily consumption of breakfast, aligning with the broader consensus among nutrition experts worldwide.
In conclusion, the data presented in the article underscores the growing issue of breakfast skipping among young Japanese individuals, emphasizing the need for targeted interventions and educational efforts to promote the significance of this essential meal in overall health and well-being.
