The Eating Habits of Generation Alpha: Insights from Recent Research

In June 2025, a detailed study by Nippon Information Co., Ltd. was conducted to examine the eating habits of Generation Alpha, focusing on junior high school students across Japan. This research involved 647 students from first to third grade, providing a window into the dietary preferences of this unique demographic.

Overview of LINE Research

The study leveraged the innovative capabilities of LINE Research, which boasts over 7 million active monitors, half of whom are aged between 10 and 29. This demographic composition allows for comprehensive data collection among younger groups, yielding significant insights into their eating habits. Unique to LINE Research is its ability to capture responses directly from individuals as young as 13, enabling a more authentic understanding of their perspectives.

Key Findings

1. Breakfast Preferences:
The research identified a notable preference for bread items such as toasts and sandwiches during breakfast, with rice coming in second. The tendency for more students to opt for bread during weekends (a 17.3% increase) indicates a shift in preference when time allows. On weekends, 65.7% reported eating breakfast with family, compared to 30.3% who preferred to eat alone during the week, highlighting the communal aspect of weekend meals.

2. Lunch Choices:
Lunch was predominantly composed of school-provided meals during weekdays (72.7%), while on weekends, homemade rice dishes (60.9%) and noodle dishes (51.8%) were favored. The data revealed a higher frequency of students with larger body types opting for outside dining options during weekends, suggesting social influences on meal choices.

3. Dinner Trends:
Dinner habits revealed a preference for traditional meals featuring rice, meat, soup, and vegetables regardless of the day. There was a noticeable trend towards enjoying dinner outside more on weekends, particularly among dual-income families, where the rate was 5% higher than average.
Dinner times generally ranged between 6 PM and 7 PM, with the average duration being slightly longer during weekends at 38.1 minutes compared to 33.7 minutes on weekdays, indicating a more relaxed dining atmosphere.

4. Importance of Meal Quality:
A significant 64.1% of participants emphasized the desire for tasty meals, alongside a strong preference for meals that foster enjoyment and communication, particularly with family and friends. Even in a fast-paced environment, younger generations place more importance on the enjoyment of meals rather than just efficiency.

5. Unspoken Concerns:
Regarding family dynamics, 15.5% of students expressed a wish for their parents to be more mindful of meal calories—this concern was particularly pronounced among female students and those with fuller figures. Contrary to initial assumptions, it appears that the desire for dietary change is more actively voiced by students who perceive themselves as needing to modify their body shape.

Conclusion

The overarching trend identified in this survey is that Generation Alpha generally maintains a regular eating schedule, prioritizing family meals over impulsive dining, despite concerns about their lifestyle potentially disrupting meal routines due to study pressures. This generational cohort's approach to food seems to emphasize family bonding and enjoyment, countering the potential negative effects of social media influences and beauty standards.

In summary, this research sheds light on Generation Alpha's eating behaviors, reinforcing the idea that despite societal pressures, their dietary habits are quite stable. For those interested in further analysis, detailed reports containing additional data and insights are available through Nippon Information Co., Ltd.

For access to the full study and specific data requests, visit the official request link provided by Nippon Information.

Research Overview