Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — Uzbekistan has launched a large‑scale nutrition study organized by the International Strategic Center for Agri‑Food Sector Development (ISCAD) in cooperation with the Delivery Unit under the Agency for Strategic Reforms.

The project aims to provide a comprehensive assessment of the population’s dietary habits and nutrition, including levels of knowledge, behavioral attitudes, and objective medical indicators affecting health.

The study is being carried out using the international KAP Survey methodology (Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices), covering a wide range of data: anthropometric measurements, clinical examinations, biochemical analyses, and the collection of respondents’ health histories. To date, more than 13,000 households across the country have taken part in the project.

Modern medicine considers nutrition to be one of the key factors determining quality of life and resilience to chronic noncommunicable diseases. Research shows that a significant share of health problems is directly linked to lifestyle, including unbalanced diets and low physical activity.

For example, analysis of WHO STEPS survey data from 2014 and 2019 revealed troubling trends: salt consumption rose from 15.6 to 36.6 percent; 67.2 percent of the population did not consume the recommended amount of fruits and vegetables; and the number of people with excess weight and high blood pressure increased markedly. These indicators highlight the urgent need to shift toward healthier dietary patterns. Poor nutrition often leads to metabolic disorders, elevated blood sugar and cholesterol levels, and places additional strain on the healthcare system.

The study collects information across five main areas: public knowledge and practices related to nutrition; anthropometric data (height, weight, body mass index); biochemical parameters (blood sugar, cholesterol, and micronutrient levels); clinical health status; and individual and family medical histories, with consideration of social and living conditions.

This integrated approach will help assess public awareness of healthy eating principles, determine the prevalence of problems related to both overnutrition and undernutrition, examine the influence of social and behavioral factors, and identify regional characteristics.

The data gathered will serve as a foundation for the development of national programs and initiatives aimed at improving nutrition culture, preventing diseases, conducting targeted awareness campaigns, and refining legislation. As international experience shows, such studies play a crucial role in public health. They make it possible to track changes in dietary patterns, evaluate the effectiveness of previously implemented measures, and adjust strategies to achieve sustainable results.

Thus, assessing the current state of nutrition in Uzbekistan is of paramount importance. It marks a significant step toward building a scientifically grounded system designed to strengthen public health and improve quality of life.