Regional features organization of nutrition for young children

Background: Several critical periods are distinguished in child development, signifi cantly infl uencing the formation of organs and systems and the development of body functions. Nutrition plays a leading role among external factors infl uencing child growth and development.

Aim: The aim of the study was to comparatively analyze parenting practices regarding nutrition for young children living in the Central Federal District and North Caucasus Federal District.

Methods: From February 2024 to November 2025, a cross-sectional, non-randomized, uncontrolled study was conducted in the cities of the Central (Moscow, Kostroma, Ivanovo) and North Caucasus (Nalchik, Stavropol, Cherkessk) Federal Districts. The study included a questionnaire surveying parents of young children regarding their child nutrition practices. A total of 598 parents participated in the study. Children’s physical development was assessed using the WHO Anthro software (2009). StatTech v.4.11.2 (developer: StatTech LLC, Russia) was used for statistical analysis.

Results: It was found that parenting practices in organizing nutrition for children aged 1 to 3 years diff er in a number of important fundamental aspects between the regions of the Central Federal District and the North Caucasus Federal District. The most common problems in the cities of the North Caucasus Federal District include inadequate timing of the introduction of complementary foods (р <0.001), insuffi  cient use of industrially produced baby food (р <0.001), incomplete coverage of the young child population with preventive measures for vitamin D and iodine defi ciency, and signifi cant increase in the number of children receiving «unhealthy» food (р <0.001). However, an assessment of physical development showed that the number of overweight children is signifi cantly higher in the Central Federal District.

Conclusion: Systematic monitoring of nutrition and preventive measures against alimentary-dependent conditions among young children is necessary; methodological recommendations regarding nutrition for young children should be actively introduced among clinical practitioners and educational programs taking into account regional characteristics should be developed for parents.

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