The city of Ofunato has summarized the results of their investigation into the eating habits and conditions of disaster victims living in temporary housing. The results clearly show a trend of deficiency in most nutrients, in particular calcium and vitamins. A trend in over consumption of salt was also apparent, and the change in living environments for victims of the disaster is suspected to be one of the causes. Effort is now going towards the guidance of nutrient-balanced diets.
After the disaster, apart from the 1700 temporary homes built in Ofunato, there are also more than 600 households living in apartments under a rent assistance scheme considered to be temporary housing. Amidst a big change in lifestyle from the disaster, an surey was carried out to grasp information for the support of promoting independence, securing desirable eating habits, and improving nutrition and eating habits.
The investigation received the cooperation of health centers in Ofunato and Oshu, and nutritionist associations of Oshu and Iwate. The investigation was carried out between August and November of last year.
The investigation surveyed a total of 600 participants, including 550 living in each of the city’s temporary housing facilities and 50 living under rent assistance. Nutritionists visited the homes of the investigation participants and asked them about their health condition, eating habits and their meals.
The nutritional condition was determined by examining the intake values of the valid answers taken from 575 participants.
The values were compared with the “2010 Japanese Dietary Reference Intakes” from the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare, and categorized as either “deficient”, “normal” or “over consumption”.
After analysis, the results showed a trend of deficiency across the nutrients. A deficiency in minerals such as calcium and also in vitamins accounted for more than 80%. In contrast to the deficiency of vitamins and minerals, the consumption of salt was considered to be in excess, making an obvious dietary imbalance.
Each of the nutrients examined in this investigation were compared with the results of the Prefectural Lifestyle Survey conducted in 2009. From this it was understood that energy, protein, calcium and vitamin A were at the 80% mark.
In regards to what they were eating, many of the surveyed households were having several bread and rice ball based meals a day with no side dishes such as vegetables. 16.2% of victims said that they didn’t know what to do when they do the shopping because while part of them wants many varied ingredients, they are far from the shops.
Recently, there has been an increase in new stores opening in the area and mobile shops that visit the temporary housing facilities, but the city’s health care center fears that if this condition of poor nutrition continues it will lead to a state of deteriorated health. They say, “on the whole, the condition is not good, and it cannot be denied that the disaster has had some kind of effect”.
The city’s health care center plans to hold cooking lessons, from the 14th, for those living in temporary housing, starting with those in Massaki-cho. Due to the smaller preparation space in kitchens of temporary housing, the lessons will show ways to effectively cook balanced meals in small spaces.
[table] Ofunato City’s Temporary Housing Survey
Nutritional Condition (%)
After the disaster, apart from the 1700 temporary homes built in Ofunato, there are also more than 600 households living in apartments under a rent assistance scheme considered to be temporary housing. Amidst a big change in lifestyle from the disaster, an surey was carried out to grasp information for the support of promoting independence, securing desirable eating habits, and improving nutrition and eating habits.
The investigation received the cooperation of health centers in Ofunato and Oshu, and nutritionist associations of Oshu and Iwate. The investigation was carried out between August and November of last year.
The investigation surveyed a total of 600 participants, including 550 living in each of the city’s temporary housing facilities and 50 living under rent assistance. Nutritionists visited the homes of the investigation participants and asked them about their health condition, eating habits and their meals.
The nutritional condition was determined by examining the intake values of the valid answers taken from 575 participants.
The values were compared with the “2010 Japanese Dietary Reference Intakes” from the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare, and categorized as either “deficient”, “normal” or “over consumption”.
After analysis, the results showed a trend of deficiency across the nutrients. A deficiency in minerals such as calcium and also in vitamins accounted for more than 80%. In contrast to the deficiency of vitamins and minerals, the consumption of salt was considered to be in excess, making an obvious dietary imbalance.
Each of the nutrients examined in this investigation were compared with the results of the Prefectural Lifestyle Survey conducted in 2009. From this it was understood that energy, protein, calcium and vitamin A were at the 80% mark.
In regards to what they were eating, many of the surveyed households were having several bread and rice ball based meals a day with no side dishes such as vegetables. 16.2% of victims said that they didn’t know what to do when they do the shopping because while part of them wants many varied ingredients, they are far from the shops.
Recently, there has been an increase in new stores opening in the area and mobile shops that visit the temporary housing facilities, but the city’s health care center fears that if this condition of poor nutrition continues it will lead to a state of deteriorated health. They say, “on the whole, the condition is not good, and it cannot be denied that the disaster has had some kind of effect”.
The city’s health care center plans to hold cooking lessons, from the 14th, for those living in temporary housing, starting with those in Massaki-cho. Due to the smaller preparation space in kitchens of temporary housing, the lessons will show ways to effectively cook balanced meals in small spaces.
[table] Ofunato City’s Temporary Housing Survey
Nutritional Condition (%)
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（Tokai Shinpo February 6, 2012）
