Globalization and Food and Nutrition Security in the Russian Federation, Ukraine and Belarus

Despite falling per capita incomes in these countries, globalization has probably not led to a deterioration of food security in Russia, Ukraine and Belarus. Measures of food inadequacy in these countries are significantly lower than in developing countries. The majority of the most severe nutritional problems in the Russian Federation—overweight and obesity in adults and various micronutrient deficiencies in both adults and children—are the same as they were during the Soviet era and are linked to diets. For children, these are low rates of breast feeding, possible deficiencies in weaning practices, a lack of vitamin C and iron deficiencies. For adults, the most severe problems are caused by a high-fat, high cholesterol, low fiber diet. This includes low consumption of fruits and vegetables, high consumption of dairy and meat and sugar and higher than recommended alcohol (for males) consumption.