The history of milk in Japanese school lunches

摘要

The history of milk in school lunches, the physical development of pupils, and changes in food culture will be reviewed. Basic literature and statistics about school lunches and milk were examined. Questionnaires about school lunches and milk were conducted with pupils, their parents and students.The use of large quantities of skim milk for school lunches after World War II was due to acknowledgement that milk was highly effective in improving the nutrition of children, which was seen in increases in body weight and height. Domestic milk began tobe used from about 1957, and school lunches played a large role in the consumption and expansion of drinking milk. In 1976, when school lunches began to include rice and Japanese dishes, there were complaints that milk did not fit with the meals. However, the nutritional value of milk caused a change in dietary culture to accept milk with rice meals.