[Research on "promoting oral health through Shokuiku (food and nutrition education)" in local governments: Status of planning and setting interrelated goals].

Objectives Food is taken in through the mouth, making the development and maintenance of oral function essential for promoting Shokuiku (food and nutrition education). However, the nationwide status of oral health promotion within Shokuiku has remained unclear. Therefore, we surveyed local governments throughout Japan. This paper examines the status of planning for oral health and Shokuiku in local governments and evaluates the interrelationship of their goals.Methods The survey targeted oral health and Shokuiku departments in prefectures and municipalities across Japan. An email containing a Microsoft Excel survey form was sent to both departments. Oral health departments were asked about oral health promotion plans, and Shokuiku departments were asked about Shokuiku promotion plans. Survey items included the existence of these plans, the presence of nutrition- and Shokuiku-related goals in the oral health promotion plan, and the inclusion of oral health-related goals in the Shokuiku promotion plan. A descriptive statistical analysis assessed the status of plan formulation and interrelated goal setting. Differences by population size and prefecture were also examined for municipalities.Results The response rate was 93.6% for oral health departments and 95.7% for Shokuiku departments at the prefectural level. At the municipal level, response rates were 57.8% and 54.5%, respectively. All prefectures had established oral health promotion plans and Shokuiku promotion plans. At the municipal level, 79.4% had oral promotion plans and 92.4% had Shokuiku promotion plans. Goals related to Shokuiku and nutrition were included in 36.4% of prefectural oral health promotion plans and 47.1% of municipal plans. Meanwhile, oral health-related goals were included in 46.7% of prefectural Shokuiku promotion plans and 39.6% of municipal plans. Regarding municipal population size, both cooperation and plan formulation rates decreased as population decreased. Significant regional differences were also observed when comparing municipal survey item across prefectures.Conclusion A proportion of local governments incorporated goals addressing both oral health and Shokuiku in their respective promotion plans, although notable regional differences persisted. These findings may contribute to future efforts to promote oral health and Shokuiku.