Disappearance of differences in nutrient intake across two local cultures in Japan: a comparison between Tokyo and...

Nutritional survey was conducted in a winter season of 1992 3 by collecting seventy-one 24-hour food duplicate samples from three groups of middle-aged women (22 to 25 subjects per group) in traditional residential areas in the cities of Tokyo (two groups) and Kyoto (one group), two cultural centers in Japan known to have different food customs. The analysis in terms of intake of nutrients such as energy, carbohydrate, protein, lipid, minerals, vitamins and fibers did not show significant difference among the three groups studied. Sodium chloride intake also did not differ. Daily consumption of food materials (evaluated as classified in terms of, e.g., cereals, meat, fish and vegetables) was similar. Relative weight of three meals and snacks in energy intake did not vary among the groups. Consumption of milk and bread as indicators of intake of non-traditional food was also comparable among the groups. The observation as a whole suggests that the different food custom once known to be present between the two local cultures is no longer detectable. Nationwide extensive transport of food materials is discussed as one of possible causes.