Modern Problems of Food Security and Nutrition in Russia

Abstract

The most important target indicators of food security in Russia are rational norms of food consumption and norms of physiological demand for energy and nutrients on average per person. An analysis of actual consumption shows that the diet of Russians is unbalanced and there is a deterioration in the quality of the diet in a number of positions, especially noticeable negative changes occurred after 2014 as a result of the introduction of the food embargo, the devaluation of the ruble and the subsequent decline in household incomes and effective demand for food. Unbalanced diet is one of the main reasons for the increasing prevalence in Russia of overweight and obesity, anemia, iodine and other micronutrients deficiency, diabetes, high prevalence of high blood pressure. In this regard, it is necessary to take policy measures in the area of nutrition, in particular, improving the system of assessing the quality of nutrition of population, to implement mandatory salt iodization, and fortification of bread with vitamins and minerals, implement a program of domestic food aid, including in the area of school meals and, in particular, the implementation the "school milk" programs, aimed at ensuring all children of preschool and school age free milk in accordance with the recommendations for healthy nutrition in educational institutions, as well as measures to inform the population and promote education in the field of healthy nutrition. In modern conditions of the pandemic and overcoming its consequences, the relevance and importance of food aid, which should mitigate the deterioration of the economic situation and the decrease in incomes, are increasing. In addition, recent events show that healthy nutrition is a significant factor in the resistance of the COVID-19 pandemic, from which humanity does not yet have vaccines and specific medicines.