[Setsunan University] Collaboration with "Unko Drill"! Children's Intestinal Bacteria Test "Unchek" Appears

　Setsunan University (President: Yasuyuki Kubo), based on research results from industry-academia collaboration with Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine and Pre-Medica (Representative Director, President & CEO: Tomo Tominaga), a company developing testing services in the preventive medicine field, will begin offering the children's abdominal test "Unchek"¹ (hereinafter referred to as "this service") for children aged 2 to 12.

　This service evaluates disturbances in children's intestinal environment by measuring "Blautia" bacteria (patent pending²). Furthermore, through collaboration with "Unko Drill" (Bunkyo-sha), which has sold over 10 million copies cumulatively in its series, we have incorporated a system that allows children to learn about their bodies and dietary habits in a fun way. This is the first initiative where an intestinal bacteria test collaborates with "Unko Drill"³.

■ "Unchek" Service Page: https://poocheck.flora-scan.jp/

■ Background | Towards a New Food Education Where Children Become Curious About "Their Own Bodies"

　To maximize children's potential, a foundation of health is essential. However, in reality, many parents struggle with "invisible health" concerns such as picky eating, stomach discomfort, and anxieties about future obesity or allergies.

　Food education has traditionally been seen as something to be taught.

　This service aims to serve as a catalyst for a "self-driven food education experience" where children themselves develop curiosity about their bodies and dietary habits through objective data from intestinal bacteria testing.

　As a first step, we have realized our first collaboration with "Unko Drill," which enjoys overwhelming support from children.

　The accompanying booklet, incorporating humorous descriptions, is designed to help children learn insights such as "Eating is important" and "My body is interesting." By fostering an experience of actively thinking about food and health through testing, we aim to transform "food education (≒ gut health)" from an obligation into a part of daily life.

　The development of this service is based on research into pediatric gut microbiota conducted by Professor Ryo Inoue and his team from the Department of Applied Biosciences, Faculty of Agriculture, Setsunan University. Through integrated analysis of three independent studies, a correlation between the prevalence of "Blautia" bacteria and intestinal environment disturbances was revealed. As this is a test with scientific backing, parents can feel confident in using it.

■ 3 Service Features

・ Intestinal bacteria test based on research results from industry-academia collaboration

・ Blaut...