Diet and Health Issues of The JapaneseBy Lucienda Taylor

Nutrition 3420, 11/2/09

Presentation Overview

Cultural Background

Traditional Dietary Practices

Dietary Analysis Results

Traditional Health Care Practices

Current Health Issues

Regional Location of Japan

Background InformationDivided into three historic periods

Aristocratic Population mostly rural and poorFoods associated with Japan introduced by ChinaBuddhism introduced (545 BC) by Korea

Middle Ages (Samurai)Warlords competed in displays of power & refinementTravelling – Bento boxes & SushiSpanish, Portuguese, Dutch

Modern1856 Commodore Perry forced Japan to allow

outsiders

Ashkenazi & Jacob, 2003

Japanese Cultural Beliefs

Shinto Humans inherently good Purity/Pollution

Buddhism Harmony

Family Nature Society

Imbalance Poor diet Lack of exercise Conflict

Ashkenazi & Jacob, 2003; Kittler & Sucher, 2008

http://www.japaneselifestyle.com.au/culture/geisha.html

Traditional Dietary Practices

“Hara hachi bunme” Limited foods Appearance

important Fresh is best New Year’s

Celebration Tea Ritual

http://www.yale.edu/macmillan/pier/resources/lessons/cooking_table.htm

Moriyama, 2005; Kittler & Sucher, 2008

Breakfast:

Miso soup, umeboshi,

rice garnished with

nori, pickled

vegetables.

Meal PatternsLunch (lightest meal):Sushi and noodles.

Dinner (main meal):

Rice, soup, vegetables,

grilled fish or meat. Snack (Oyatsu):

Noodles, peeled and

cut fruit, rice cracker,

mochi gashi.Kittler & Sucher, 2008; Moriyama, 2005

Let’s EAT!!

Dietary Analysis

• Teriyaki Fish• Japanese-style omelet (Tamago)• Soba noodles• Rice cakes• Edemame• Japanese persimmon• Rice• Atlantic Mackerel• Green tea• Miso soup• Carrots & Spinach• Seaweed• Umeboshi

Based on 20 year old, 110 pound, active 5’1” female.

Beverages included water and green tea.

Diet Analysis, 2009

Diet Analysis ResultsMy Pyramid

Diet Analysis, 2009

Dietary Analysis ResultsCHO, PRO, FAT

Calorie intake was 100% of DRI Goal

Diet Analysis, 2009

Dietary Analysis ResultsFats and Cholesterol

Cholesterol intake was 960 mg (320% of DRI)

EFA Omega-6 was 129% of DRIOmega-3 was 180% of DRI

Diet Analysis, 2009

Dietary Analysis ResultsVitamins and Minerals

Diet Analysis, 2009

Traditional Health PracticesHarmony and cleanliness extremely

important.Conflict disrupts proper flow of energy and

leads to illness.Herbal medicine (kampo) growing in

popularity.Energy flow can be restored by:

Resolution of conflictAcupunctureMoxibustionMassage

Kittler & Sucher, 2008

Current Health IssuesHigh salt intake linked to:

Gastric CancerHypertensionStroke

Stress-induced illness – koroshi (death from work)

Osteoporosis (insufficient Calcium intake)Diabetes (prevalent at smaller BMIs)

Kittler & Sucher, 2008; Liu & Russell, 2008; Nagura, et al., 2009; Sakurai, et al., 2009

CounselingAvert eyes as a sign of respect.Silence is valued – listen and be patient.Formality and politeness is essential.Emotional outbursts are seen as immature.Extremely high-context culture.Generally, non-touching.

Kittler & Sucher, 2008

SummaryJapan foods focus on fresh foods, rice and

seafoods.The diet is high in essential fatty acids, but

low in calcium, vitamin E and vitamin D.High salt content may be responsible for

many chronic health conditions and high rates of cancer.

When counseling, must be patient during long silences.

Individual needs are secondary to that of family/society.

It has been said of Japanese food that it is a cuisine to be looked at rather than eaten. I would go further and say it is to be meditated upon, a kind of silent music evoked by the combination of lacquerware and the light of a candle flickering in the dark.

- Junichiro Tanizaki

http://www.mxbrands.com/Japanese%20Rock%20Garden.jpg

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Suzuki, E., Yorifuji, T., Takao, S., Komatsu, H., Sugiyama, M., Ohta, T., et al. (2009). Green tea consumption and mortality among Japanese elderly people: the prospective Shizuoka elderly cohort. Annals of Epidemiology , 19 (10), 732-739.

Thompson Higher Education. (2009). Diet Analysis Plus