To the health of the nation through multi-level educational programs for the population in the field of optimal nutrition

Abstract

Introduction. Healthy nutrition is the most important component of the quality of life, which is understood as an integral indicator of the mental, physical and social functioning of a person. However, the diet of Russians is not enough vegetables and fruits, dairy products, excess sugar, salt, products containing animal fat and trans fats. Violations of the structure of nutrition, nutritional status lead to the development of alimentary-dependent diseases, primarily cardiovascular, and in particular, arterial hypertension. Goal. Study of alimentary risk factors for arterial hypertension. Materials and methods. The data of the survey of VTSIOM and the company Gideon Richter “Food habits of Russians”, September 2020”, conducted by telephone survey in at least 80 regions (1,600 respondents over 18 years old), are analyzed. Results and discussion. The diet of the adult population of Russia is characterized by a high consumption of animal fat (frequent consumption of fatty dairy products-52% of respondents, butter-61%, sausage products-48%), salt (pickles and marinades – 42%), added sugar (confectionery – 47%) with a lack of fruit, fish and seafood. 23% of respondents add salt to ready meals, and 43% use frying when cooking. Arterial hypertension was noted in 52% of respondents, who, compared to normotonics, less often (32-39%) include in their diet foods that are sources of potassium and magnesium (apricots, bananas, dried fruits, nuts, seeds, etc.), and more often-pickles, marinades (47%) and mayonnaise (45%), containing a large amount of salt, as well as add salt to ready meals (24%). Conclusions. In order to prevent arterial hypertension in Russians, it is necessary to increase their intake of potassium and magnesium, limit the content of table salt in the diet, which will be facilitated by the widespread introduction of educational programs on healthy nutrition.