Evaluation of nutrition of young children in Odesa district

Background. The main factor that ensures the health and harmonious development of a child, both in the early stages and in the later periods of his life, is rational nutrition. The widespread prevalence of food-dependent forms of pathology among children, insufficient awareness of doctors and parents, as well as violations in the organization of nutrition of young children determine the relevance of this work and the need for a comprehensive analysis of the actual nutrition of children aged 1 to 2 years for its improvement. Purpose – to purpose of the work is to establish the nutritional characteristics of children aged from 1 to 2 years in order to optimize their diets. Materials and Methods. 42 healthy children aged 1 to 2 years who lived in Odesa district took part in the study. In work were used such methods: clinical and anamnestic; dietary; anthropometric – height, weight; sociological – questionnaires; statistical. Results. The patterns of food organization and consumption of the main macronutrients by children aged 1 to 2 years are formulated, which are characterized by adequate consumption of basic food products, with the exception of excessive consumption of cheese, fruit juices and hard cheese and insufficient use of enriched industrial products. It is shown that excessive amounts of food, inadequate nutrition in the form of multiple snacks and sometimes night feedings, as well as unreasonable use of products not intended for children aged 1 to 2 years, are significant violations of the organization of nutrition of children of this age group. It was established that the diets of children aged 1 to 2 years are unbalanced in terms of the content of proteins, fats, and carbohydrates. Identified violations of the nutrition structure of young children, its imbalance in terms of macronutrient composition dictate the need for regular control by pediatricians and family doctors over the organization of nutrition for children of this age period. Conclusions. The nutrition structure of children aged 1 to 2 years is characterized by an imbalance of rations in terms of proteins, fats, and carbohydrates, which is due to violations of the feeding regime, overeating, and early transition to the «family» food-table. Young children consume excessive amounts of protein and fat compared to recommended physiological norms and insufficient amounts of carbohydrates according to their age.