Armenia ranks first in the list of 51 countries of the world with the index of consumption of sweets among children. This is evidenced by the research conducted by the Arabkir Medical Complex with the World Health Organization, the RA Ministry of Health and the RA KGMS. The study of health behavior of school-age children is conducted every 4 years in 51 countries of the world.
The last survey in Armenia was conducted in 2022, the results of which have been summarized, the full version will be presented in the coming months.
Before that, Marina Melkumova, pediatrician of the Arabkir Medical Complex-Institute of Children and Adolescent Health, coordinator of adolescent health programsof "Armenpress".at the press conference held in the press hall, he singled out several indicators from the research that he considers worrisome.
"More than 4,300 11, 13, 15, 17-year-old children participated in the research. Let me say that in the context of nutritional behavior, we have a worrying picture of school-age children in Armenia. The first alarming indicator is the consumption of sweets. Among the children of different ages who participated in the research, Armenia is in a high position, but it is in the first place among the 15-year-olds.
64 percent of girls and 56 percent of boys of that age use sweets several times a day. This is really disturbing and gives cause for concern," said Marina Melkumova.
The next alarming indicator is related to sugary carbonated drinks. Here, Armenian schoolchildren are not in the first place, but they are in high positions. Among 15-year-olds, 32 percent of boys use sweet carbonated drinks every day, 22 percent of girls.
Arayik Papoyan, a doctor-hygienist at the Environmental Hygiene Department of the National Center for Disease Control and Prevention of the RA Ministry of Health, noted that there are mandatory norms for schools in Armenia that define what can and cannot be included in the children's food list.
"When making the list of food for schoolchildren, the age groups of children are taken into account: 6-10, 11-14, 15-18 years old, as well as their physical load. The food list should be balanced, based on proteins, vitamins, microelements. Raw, smoked meats, food made from unpasteurized milk are not allowed. Food with a high salt and sugar content, as well as carbonated sweet drinks, are prohibited," said Arayik Papoyan.
Maybe there is a possibility of healthy food in schools to a greater or lesser extent, but experts notice that in most cases children are capricious when it comes to eating, they have a hard time eating, for example, vegetables, they prefer fast food and sweets more.
"Both sweets and sodas are high in sugar. This in turn leads to such problems as excess weight and obesity. Here I will present the data of another study. Years ago, a study was conducted among 7-8 year old children. 30 percent of boys and 25 percent of girls are overweight.
This is a very disturbing indicator," said Marina Melkumova, adding that it can lead to diabetes and cardiovascular system problems. It can also affect the child's psychological state.
Experts emphasize the activation of awareness activities among students and their parents in schools, as well as the tightening of control functions, so that the mandatory norms related to food are properly observed.
