The difference of food consumption in Russia’s regions

Abstract

Nutrition is an important indicator of quality of life, an element of national security. The article reviews the formation of the food consumption geography. The differences in food consumption among Russia’s regions are shown in the dynamics from 1990 to 2013. They are caused by the influence on food patterns of such factors as natural conditions, level of regional socioeconomic development, local traditions associated with the agricultural profile of an area, living standards, ethnic nutrition traditions, etc. The well-being of regions with higher food consumption levels depends mainly on economic conditions or on favorable natural living conditions. The following trends have been identified: an increase in consumption of vegetables in most regions; a decrease in consumption of dairy products in Russia in general, and especially in regions with traditional dairy farming; and a significant increase in consumption of potatoes and bread in the North Caucasian republics. The paper represents the results of a food pattern cluster analysis of Russia’s regions in 1990 and 2013.