Alimentary-dependent diseases are currently called “epidemics” of civilization, as evidenced by an increase in of their frequency and severity

as well as by many long-term adverse health effects [5], [6], [7], [8] and [9]. About 35% of diseases in children aged less than 5 years are associated with certain nutritional disorders. WHO estimated that globally in 2012, 162 million children under five were stunted and find more 51 million had a low weight-for-height ratio, mainly as a consequence of improper feeding or recurrent infections, while 44 million were overweight or obese. Few children receive nutritionally adequate and safe complementary foods. In many countries only a third of breastfed infants aged of 6–23 months receive complementary feeding which is appropriate to their age criteria of dietary diversity and feeding frequency [17]. According to a national population-based study in the U.S. that evaluated feeding habits of children during the first 4 years of life in 2008 comparing to 2002 the proportion of infants who were breastfed at 8 and 12 months as well as the average age of children at the time of solid food introduction increased. However, the level of unmodified cow’s milk consumption during the first year of life (17% in 2008 vs. 20% in 2002) and skim milk intake in the second year of life (20–30% vs. 20–40% respectively) did not change [18]. Consumption of fruits and vegetables

see more by all children aged 6 months – 4 years remained insufficient also. Specifically, 30% of them did not eat any vegetables and 25% – any fruits on the survey day [19]. At the same time, fried potato was the favorite vegetable dish in children older than 2 years. The diet of many children aged 1–3 years did not contain enough vitamin E, potassium and dietary fiber, but

too much sodium, and some of them did not consume enough iron and zinc [18]. The ratio between separate nutrients was broken, in particular, the diet proportion of fat did not provide 30–40% of energy needs, primarily due to excessive protein intake [20]. In children older 12 months the diet diversity was becoming narrower with a negative tendency to increase the proportion of nutritionally inadequate snacks, sweets, sugary and carbonated beverages. The study conducted in 2012 in Russia also found a high oxyclozanide prevalence of various nutritional violations leading to the emergence of various deficient conditions in children aged of 13–36 months [21]. Taking into account the importance of balanced nutrition in early childhood, its impact on the subsequent formation of the body tissues and maintaining health, epidemiological observational studies for comprehensive assessment of nutrition in young children are of paramount importance. Nowadays in Ukraine we are limited with scientific data about nutritional status of young children, prevalence of eating behavior disorders and deficits in basic macro- and micronutrients in children’s diet.