Problems of micronutrient provision of children and their solutions in the CIS countries: a comparative aspect

A review of the literature in recent years was carried out using the RSCI, Google Scholar, and ResearchGate databases. The purpose of the review is to characterize the provision of micronutrients to children in Russia, Belarus and Kazakhstan and measures to optimize it. An analysis of the literature showed that in the CIS countries there are the same problems regarding the provision of children with essential micronutrients. The diet of the majority of examined children contains insufficient levels of several micronutrients (vitamins D, group B, calcium, magnesium, etc.). The results of assessing the vitamin status of children based on in the blood or urine concentration of micronutrients show that in the listed countries the most common is a reduced level of 25-hydroxyvitamin D relative to the norm. Identified deficiencies, regardless of place of residence and season of the year, have the nature of multiple micronutrient insufficiency. The problem of multiple micronutrient deficiency, characteristic of the child population of the CIS countries, remains relevant and requires a solution. In Russia and Belarus there are no programs for mandatory fortification of consumer products with vitamins; in Kazakhstan, wheat flour is subject to fortification with micronutrients. The problem of iodine deficiency in Belarus was eliminated after 2013 through the use of iodized salt and fortification of food products. Throughout Russia, it is mandatory to use iodized salt for preparing meals in organized meals for children. The use of vitamin-mineral supplemеnts, the regulatory framework for the implementation of which is the same in all four countries, remains a realistic and effective way to optimize vitamin status.