Children’s Diet and Nutrition in the Aftermath of the Torrential Rain Disaster in Western Japan: An Evaluation of Support Activities by Dietitians to Alleviate Mothers’ Anxieties

Abstract

Abstract Objective: The purpose of this study was to clarify whether the support activities of dietitians during disasters were able to address the problems faced by mothers about their children’s diet and nutrition. Methods: Dietitians (7 in total) and mothers (8) were selected by the snowball sampling method. Semi-structured interviews were used to conduct focus group interviews about children’s diet and nutrition. Verbatim data were generated, and an inductively qualitative descriptive analysis was conducted. Results: Six categories were generated for each group. Dietitians responded to problems that mothers had regarding their children’s diet and nutrition via 2 activities: [dealing with allergy food shortages] and [school lunch support]. Conclusion: It is important for dietitians to recommend stockpiling allergy-friendly foods to accommodate children with allergies and achieve early resumption of school lunches to meet children’s nutritional needs.