Objective: This study aimed to describe prevalence and trends in Japan in nutritional indicators/nutritional status, according to the Global Nutrition Monitoring Framework on Maternal, Infant and Young Child Nutrition (WHO, 2014).

Methods: We used vital statistics data on birth weight since 1951. Height and weight data for children, adolescents, and women of reproductive age, and hemoglobin concentration data for women were obtained from the National Nutrition Survey of Japan (NNS-J) and National Health and Nutrition Survey of Japan (NHNS-J). Underweight and overweight/obesity was defined using the percentage of overweight (POW) and body mass index (BMI). Anemia was defined as hemoglobin < 12 g/dl in non-pregnant women. Status on primary outcome indicators for the six global nutrition targets were observed regardless of data availability of annual trends.

Results: A high prevalence and increasing trends were observed in low birth weight (< 2,500 g) infants since 1975. Trends in the nutritional status among children under 5 years were unclear. Obesity (POW ≥ 20%) among school-aged children has declined. There were high percentages of underweight (BMI < 18.5 kg/m²) among adolescents and young women, with increasing trends since 1980. The percentage of overweight/obesity was consistently high among women aged ≥ 20 years. A high prevalence of anemia was consistently found among women of reproductive age since 1997.

Conclusions: Progress on reducing Japanese maternal and child malnutrition remains challenging. Continuous assessment of key indicators of maternal and child nutritional status will help to shape future strategies to encourage health and well-being through the life course.