A Study on Food Security for Children in Low-Income Households

2019 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 15K00728
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Research Field: Home economics/Human life
• Research Institution: University of Niigata Prefecture
• Principal Investigator: MURAYAMA NOBUKO 新潟県立大学, 人間生活学部, 教授 (80219948)
• Co-Investigator(Kenkyū-buntansha): 大久保 公美 国立保健医療科学院, その他部局等, 主任研究官 (80407577)
• Project Period (FY): 2015-04-01 – 2020-03-31
• Keywords: 子どもの貧困 / 社会経済的要因 / 食事保障 / 栄養

Outline of Final Research Achievements

The purpose of this study was to understand the actual condition seating gap and measures associated with economic disparities in Japan. As a result of the research, 1) Using data on diet and food expenses, we presented the contents and amount of meals for children's growth and health in school children, 2) we examined the effects of school lunches and measures for children's dietary security, and 3) we reviewed food security programs for low-income households in other countries, USA, and their effects.
As a measure to ensure the diet of children of low-income families in Japan, we presented evidence of the effectiveness of school lunches at the national level and food assistance at the NPO level. The social significance of the above-level socio-economic situation and the evidence related to eating habits of households is the basis for the promotion of measures against poverty in children.

Free Research Field

公衆栄養学、貧困学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

学術的意義は、日本において低所得世帯の子どもの食事保障の対策として、国レベルでの学校給食やNPOレベルでの食糧支援の有効性のエビデンスを提示したこと。社会的意義は、以上の世帯の社会経済的状況と食生活との関連のエビデンスは、子どもの貧困対策の推進の根拠となること。