Features of feeding young children in the regions of the North Caucasus Federal District

Introduction. There were conducted numerous studies to assess the management of nutrition in young children living in the Russian Federation. However, this problem remains poorly studied in the regions of the North Caucasus Federal District and requires further development. Aim. To determine the features of nutrition management and the frequency of alimentary-dependent conditions in young children living in the regions of the North Caucasus Federal District (using the cities of Stavropol, Nalchik, and Cherkessk as examples).

Materials and methods. A multicenter non-randomized cross-sectional study was conducted: a survey of pediatricians and parents on the management of rational nutrition in, children from 1 year to 3 years of age from health groups I and II based on questionnaires developed by the researchers.

Results. The data of the study demonstrated significant differences in the opinions of pediatricians and parents on the adequacy of nutrition in young children (p < 0.001). A significantly high frequency of overweight/obesity was revealed in Stavropol (39%) compared to Cherkessk (22%), iron deficiency conditions, including anemia: 30%, 52%, 21%, respectively, while in Stavropol it was more common compared to Nalchik and Cherkessk (p < 0.001), as well as rickets: Stavropol — 39% versus Nalchik — 37% and Cherkessk — 20% (p = 0.029). A significant increase in the consumption of “unhealthy” food products by children over the third year of life in Cherkessk (p = 0.015) and Stavropol (p < 0.001) was revealed, as well as a direct effect of the level of mothers’ education on the consumption of such “harmful” products for children as carbonated sweet drinks (p < 0.001) and sausages (p = 0.013).

Conclusion. The identified violations in the nutrition of young children living in the North Caucasus region can be the cause of a high frequency of alimentary-dependent conditions, which requires increased attention to educational work in primary outpatient care using popular information materials available to the population to introduce the principles of healthy nutrition for children into practice and form correct eating behavior in them.

Contribution:
Bushueva T.V., Borovik T.E., Skvortsova V.A. — concept and design of the study;
Khubieva M.U., Lukoyanova O.L., Guseva I.M., Chernikov V.V., Komarova O.V. — collection and processing of the material;
Bushueva T.V., Khubieva M.U., Chernikov V.V. — statistical processing of the material;
Bushueva T.V., Borovik T.E., Khubieva M.U. — writing the text;
Fisenko A.P. — editing the text.
All co-authors — approval of the final version of the article, responsibility for the integrity of all parts of the article.

Acknowledgment. The study had no sponsorship.

Conflict of interest. The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Received: August 11, 2025
Accepted: October 02, 2025
Published: October 30, 2025

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