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2 . 2018

Nutrition of children in modern Russian family: social and economic aspect

AbstractThe aim of this article is to study the problem of the nutritional status of children in a modern Russian family. This work is based on the analysis of statistical data of the results of a sample survey of households' budgets, reflecting the interrelationship between the standard of living of the Russian family and children, its material wealth, the possibility of high quality, high-grade nutrition for all its members, especially children. The standard of living, the share of food expenditure, the consumption of basic food groups, the nutritive and energy value of diets in households with children (a family with one child, two, three or more children) were studied. The article discusses the issues related to the limited consumption of various food products in families with children. There is an increase in consumption of bread products and potatoes, as well as sugar and confectionery products in all types of households with children, but especially in large families, while reducing the consumption of other groups of products. The paper presents an analysis of the nutritive and energy value of the diet in all types of families surveyed. It is emphasized that in households with one or two children the nutritive value of the diet is significantly higher than in large families. In the diet of large families there is a lackof protein (11.8% of calories). The fat content in the diet of families with children exceeds the recommended level (34.8-36.6% of calories). In general, the quality of nutrition in families with one child is higher than in households with two or more children. The nutritional status of children in families with low incomes, which often include the average family with the birth of a child, especially several, does not correspond to the medical and biological standards approved for modern society. Obviously, the higher is living standard of the population, the lower is the share of expenditure on food, and vice versa. With the advent of children, the living standard of a household decreases. Thus, according to official data, the share of food expenditures in families with children in 2016 was 34.4% of the family budget for families raising one child, 36.9% for families raising two children, 40.1% for households with three or more children. Accordingly, the lower is the living standard of the family, the less they spend on maintaining the health of children, their education and recreation. The paper emphasizes that the problem of rational nutrition of the population has a pronounced social and economic significance and belongs to the global categories that play a significant role in ensuring the quality of life of a person, maintaining his health and longevity of life.

Keywords:children, nutrition, consumption, nutritive and energy value of diet, family with children

Voprosy pitaniia [Problems of Nutrition]. 2018; 87 (2): 103-107. doi: 10.24411/0042-8833-2018-10024.

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CHIEF EDITOR
CHIEF EDITOR
Viktor A. Tutelyan
Full Member of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Doctor of Medical Sciences, Professor, Scientific Director of the Federal Research Centre of Nutrition, Biotechnology and Food Safety (Moscow, Russia)

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