研究显示：日本儿童的学校午餐健康指数全球第一

Japan manages a rare feat for a developed country when it comes to feeding its children - high scores for nutrition but very low obesity rates. One major key School lunches.

日本在保障儿童摄入充足营养的同时肥胖发病率极低，这一成就在发达国家中并不多见，其主要秘诀之一就是学校午餐。

A landmark report by the UN's children agency UNICEF shows Japan topping the charts for childhood health indicators, with low rates of infant mortality and few underweight children.

联合国儿童基金会的一份重要报告显示，日本儿童健康状况全球排名第一，婴儿死亡率低、体重不足人数非常少。

Experts say there are various factors at work, including a health-conscious society and regularly mandated check-ups for children, but a nationwide school lunch program also plays a key role.

专家指出，这一成绩由多种因素促成，包括日本人特别关注健康、定期组织儿童体检，而全日本范围内的学校午餐计划也起到重要作用。

The lunches are mandatory - no packed lunches allowed - and while they are not free for most, they are heavily subsidized.

午餐是学校强制提供的，不允许学生自带饭食。大部分午餐不免费，但有高额补贴。

Each meal is designed to have around 600-700 calories balanced between carbohydrates, meat or fish and vegetables.

每顿午餐含大约600-700卡路里，碳水化合物、肉或鱼、以及蔬菜均衡搭配。

One sample meal served to children in Japan's Gunma gives an example of the flavor: Rice with grilled fish and a spinach and sprout dish, served with miso soup with pork, alongside milk and dry prunes.

群马县的学校午餐就是一个范例，包含米饭、烤鱼、菠菜豆芽、猪肉味噌汤、牛奶和梅干。