Nutritional features of modern schoolchildren of different age groups

Background. Large-scale epidemiological studies of the nutritional structure and nutritional status of children and adolescents aged 3-18 years, carried out by Federal State Statistics Service and the Federal Research Center for Nutrition and Biotechnology in 2013 and 2018 indicate significant deficiencies in the organization of children’s nutrition, and these factors affect the formation of health of the younger generation. Objective. Evaluation of the age-related characteristics of schoolchildren’s nutrition at home and in organized groups. Methods. A comparative analysis of the organization of nutrition and the frequency of food consumption by schoolchildren of two age groups - 7-10 and 11-18 years old - was carried out using a questionnaire method. Results. Significant differences in the meal frequency on school days and weekends were found within the age group and between groups on weekends (p<0.05). The frequency of hot meals consumed by children on schooldays and weekends changed statistically within the age group and between groups. There were no significant differences in the organization of breakfast at home for schoolchildren before leaving for school, and there were no differences in the diet for children at home. There were no significant differences in the consumption of basic food products, with the exception of significant off-season differences in the consumption of vegetables and fruits and juices by children aged 11-18 years. The frequency of daily water consumption was almost 2 times higher in children of 7-10 years old compared with those of 11-18 years old (p<0.05). With increasing age, there is a growing commitment to fast food and fast food restaurants. Conclusion. All this may indicate a change in children’s food preferences as they grow up, as well as a decrease in parental control of adolescents.

organization of nutrition, frequency of food consumption