ANALYSIS OF CONSUMPTION OF FRUITS AND VEGETABLES AMONG ADOLESCENTS (15-17 YEARS) LIVING IN THE KARACHAY-CHERKESS REPUBLIC
Authors:   A.I. Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation (Sechenov University), Moscow, Russian Federation, Korkmazova Laurija , Garayeva Amina ,   A.I. Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation (Sechenov University), Moscow, Russian Federation
Published: January 2024

Significance. Adolescence is the time when a child changes its child's behavior pattern to an adult one, the time which is critical for laying the foundations of human health. It is important to understand attitude of adolescents towards a healthy lifestyle, balanced diet, including the intake of fruits and vegetables. The purpose of the study is to analyze consumption of fruits and vegetables by urban and rural adolescents (15-17 years) living in the Karachay-Cherkess Republic (KChR). Material and methods. As part of the medical and social research, a questionnaire survey was conducted among 554 adolescents aged 15-17, living in the KChR and studying in secondary schools. The questionnaire included 12 questions, of which 3 questions related to demographic indicators (age, gender, place of residence), 5 questions related to the frequency of fruit consumption, 4 questions related to nutritional literacy. Results. At least the recommended 5 servings in total of fruits and vegetables per day are consumed by only a quarter of the adolescents (25.6%) aged 15-17 living in the KChR, up to 4 servings per day - 10.3%, up to 3 servings - 11.0%, up to 2 servings - 14.8%, 1 serving per day - 33.4%, less than 1 serving per day - 4.9% of the adolescents. More than 3 servings of fruits per day were eaten by 9.3% of the adolescents, fresh vegetables - 8.1%, fresh vegetable and fruit salad - no more than 3.6% of the adolescents, cooked vegetables - 4.0% of the adolescents, fresh fruit juice or vegetables, or dried fruit drink - 6.1%. Almost half of the adolescents (47.7%) consumed less than 1 serving per day of fruits, more than half of the adolescents (53.9%) consumed fresh vegetables, three quarters of the adolescents (75.2%) consumed less than 1 serving of fresh vegetable and fruit salad, less than 1 serving of cooked vegetables - 66.5% of the adolescents, and less than 1 serving of fresh fruit or vegetable juice or dried fruit drink - 71.3% of the adolescents surveyed. Urban teenagers more often than their rural peers consume fresh vegetables (p = 0.023), but less often - cooked vegetables (p = 0.042) and fresh juice and dried fruit drink (p = 0.001), urban teenagers did not differ from their rural peers in other compared parameters. Among the majority of adolescents, the level of nutritional literacy is low, which is due to low involvement and lack of interest on the part of parents and teachers. Conclusion. The consumption of fruits and vegetables among the majority of adolescents (74.4%) is below the recommended norms, their level of literacy in basic principles of a healthy lifestyle is rather low. The presented data indicate the need to develop relevant organizational measures in the public health system.