Revising “Nutritional Reference Values for Feeding at Evacuation Shelters” According to Nutrition Assistance by Public Health Dietitians Based on Past Major Natural Disasters in Japan: A Qualitative Study

Noriko Sudo, Ikuko Shimada, Nobuyo Tsuboyama-Kasaoka and Keiichi Sato
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Noriko Sudo: Natural Science Division, Faculty of Core Research, Ochanomizu University, Tokyo 112-8610, Japan
Ikuko Shimada: Department of Nutrition, Faculty of Nutrition, University of Kochi, Kochi 781-8515, Japan
Nobuyo Tsuboyama-Kasaoka: Section of Global Disaster Nutrition, National Institutes of Biomedical Innovation, Health and Nutrition, Tokyo 162-8636, Japan
Keiichi Sato: School of Network and Information, Senshu University, Kawasaki 214-8580, Japan

IJERPH, 2021, vol. 18, issue 19, 1-22

Abstract: It is important to provide nutritionally adequate food in shelters to maintain the health of evacuees. Since the Great East Japan Earthquake in 2011, Japan’s Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare has released the “Nutritional Reference Values for Evacuation Shelters” (Reference Values) after every major natural disaster. There is clear evidence, however, that the Reference Values have only been used infrequently. This study aims to revise these guidelines to include the actual situation in the affected areas and the feasibility of the endeavor. This qualitative study uses group interviews with local government dietitians to propose revisions to Japan’s Reference Values. These revisions include the following: issuing Reference Values within 1 week of a disaster, showing one type of values for meal planning for each age group, showing the minimum values of vitamins, upgrading salt to basic components, creating three phases of nutrition (Day 1, Days 1–3, and After Day 4), stipulating food amounts rather than nutrient values, and creating a manual. Local government officials could use the Reference Values as guidelines for choosing food reserves, and dietitians could use them while formulating supplementary nutrition strategies for a model menu in preparation for disasters.

Keywords: evacuation shelter; nutrition assistance; natural disaster; public health dietitian; Japan (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
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