MJAAR

From Deathtraps to Nourishment: Adapting Japan’s School Lunch Model as a Compensatory System for Uganda’s Child Nutrition Crisis

Dr. Arinaitwe Julius1, Musimenta Nancy2


Abstract

Background: Uganda's child malnutrition crisis remains one of sub-Saharan Africa's most persistent public health emergencies, with approximately 29% of children under five experiencing stunting, 4% wasting, and 11% underweight. School feeding programmes have globally been recognised as effective compensatory mechanisms, yet Uganda lacks a structured, nutrition-focused school lunch model comparable to Japan's renowned Kyushoku system, which has virtually eliminated school-age malnutrition since its formalisation in 1954. Objective: This study assessed the feasibility, potential impact, and structural adaptations required to implement a Japan-inspired school lunch model as a compensatory nutrition system for Uganda's primary school children. Methods: A convergent mixed-methods design was employed, combining a cross-sectional quantitative survey of 412 pupils from 18 purposively selected primary schools in Kampala and Wakiso Districts with in-depth interviews and focus group discussions involving 89 key informants including teachers, parents, health workers, and policymakers. Anthropometric measurements (MUAC, HAZ, WAZ, WHZ), haemoglobin levels, and 24-hour dietary recall data were collected. Data were analysed using univariate descriptive statistics, bivariate chi-square and odds ratio analyses, and Structural Equation Modelling (SEM) to examine pathways from Japan-model adaptability to child nutritional outcomes. Qualitative data were analysed using thematic analysis. Results: Baseline stunting, wasting, and underweight prevalence stood at 42.3%, 18.7%, and 29.4% respectively. Anaemia affected 53.2% of the sample. SEM results confirmed a significant positive pathway from Japan-model adaptability to improved dietary diversity (β=0.612, p

Keywords

School feeding Japan Kyushoku model child malnutrition Uganda structural equation modelling compensatory nutrition dietary diversity school lunch adaptation
Metropolitan Journal of Academic and Applied Research

Cite This Article

Dr. Arinaitwe Julius1 & Musimenta Nancy2 (2026). From Deathtraps to Nourishment: Adapting Japan’s School Lunch Model as a Compensatory System for Uganda’s Child Nutrition Crisis. Metropolitan Journal of Academic and Applied Research, 5(4). https://journals.miu.ac.ug/pages/article.php?article_id=375