Results of modern radiation-hygienic surveys of settlements of Bryansk Oblast of the Russian Federation bordering the Republic of Belarus. Part 2: Population’s food preferences (diet)

Abstract

This study presents results of radiation-hygienic surveys of the Bryansk Oblast settlements bordering the Republic of Belarus. The data were obtained in the course of implementation of measures of the “Program of joint activities of Russia and Belarus within the framework of the Union State for the protection of the population and rehabilitation of the territories affected by the Chernobyl NPP accident” in 2019–2022. The second part of the study presents structure of population’s food preferences (diet). A general description of the diets of residents is given and the main types of local food products at the present stage of the radiation accident are identified. The current levels of consumption of locally produced food (and products of local origin) by residents of different age categories have been assessed. The obtained results of assessing the levels of food consumption have been compared with our own results of earlier studies and with the results of studies on the population of Russia and Belarus. Similarly with previous years, among agricultural food products the most consumed products are milk and potatoes and among natural food products are mushrooms. The established levels of consumption of local dairy products and beef have decreased over the past ten years and the resident consumptions of mushrooms and potatoes are in the same levels as before.