[Monitoring the nutritional status of the residents of St. Petersburg]

The purpose of the study was to analyze the diet of the population of St. Petersburg from different social and age groups and justify organizational-methodological ways to improve it. 1200 inhabitants 18 years old and over (674 women, 526 men) were interviewed using questionnaires. One-third of St. Petersburg population did not adhere to the recommended 3-4 meals per day, taking meal 2 times per day or less (21.7%) or 5 times per day or more (11.3%). The young (18-29 years old) and socially active residents 1.5-2fold more likely than pensioners (13.8%) fed 2 times per day. Women 2.2 fold more frequently than men fed 5 times per day. Young people (20%) and socially active persons (24.4%) prefer not to have breakfast or take it 2-3 times per week compared with 9.6% pensioners. Supper as the main mealtimes called 27.8% women, that is 1.4 fold more likely than men. Thus, a great part of the population in the young and socially active adulthood violates proper diet, and women more often as compared to men. This can lead to disruption of the metabolic processes, increasing the risk of nutrition-related diseases, a decrease of efficiency and reduced life expectancy. This raises the feasibility of establishing of healthy eating offices based on health centers or clinics in St. Petersburg.