Assessment of actual nutrition of preschool and primary school children

The prevalence of overweight, metabolic diseases, and negative trends in general morbidity determines the need to study the actual nutrition of preschool and primary school children. Objective. To assess changes in the food intake and level of physical development of children in the dynamics of transition from preschool to systematic school education. Patients and methods. A three-stage study of the food intake and physical development of 288 children aged 6–8 years from educational organizations of Samara region was conducted in the period from 2023 to 2025. Food intake was assessed using the frequency method by software, and the results were compared with the norms of daily requirements for children of the selected age groups. Physical development was assessed using regional regression scales. Results. The diet of preschool children contained an excess of energy value by almost 30%, and the protein/fats/carbohydrates amounted to 10.7, 41.9 and 47.4%, respectively; excess of potassium, magnesium, phosphorus, iron, calcium and vitamin B1 deficiency were noted. Analysis of physical development revealed a decrease in the number of children with harmonious constitution, with an increase in the prevalence of deviations in body weight. The number of children with body weight deficiency is detected more often in the middle of the first year of schooling (20.8%), while the number of children with excessive body weight has a constant upward trend (from 9.0% to 17.4% per year). Conclusion. Inadequate nutrition of children in the period of transition to schooling puts children at risk of school maladaptation and formation of pathological forms of nutritional status. Key words: preschool age, children's health, prevention, physical development, children's nutrition