Health and nutrition in children under 2 years of age in three areas of the Russian Federation.

The study objectives were to determine the nutritional status of children under 2 years of age in selected areas of the Russian Federation, to estimate the proportion of children potentially at risk for nutritional problems, and to characterize such a vulnerable group in terms of demographic variables. A cross-sectional sample of children under 2 years of age was used. Six areas-Moscow, St Petersburg, Ekaterinburg, and their surrounding oblasts-were sampled, and data were collected for approximately 800 children in each area between July and December 1993. A low prevalence of children with a weight-for-age Z-score below -2 was found, indicating that at the time of the survey protein-energy malnutrition was not a serious problem for this age group. However, other survey results indicating high morbidity, low immunization rates, the possibility of food insecurity, and poor infant-feeding practices imply that children's health could easily deteriorate. Therefore, food security and children's nutrition should be monitored to avoid serious consequences in the future. The results also show that there is ample scope for public health interventions that encourage more effective immunization coverage, emphasize prevention of childhood diseases, and promote proper infant-feeding practices.