Professor of Nutrition Maijaliisa Erkkola’s Research Group Investigated The Prevalence of Disrupties in Eating Behavior in Children Living in Ukraine in Ukraine in Cooperation with the Om Marzieev Instututton Al Academy of Medical Sciences of Ukraine. A total of 4,854 parents participated in the survey. The findings are Published in the journey Maternal & Child Nutrition,

Based on the parents’ Responses, Eating Behavior In two-Thirds of Children Changed during the War, with the Highest Prevalence of Changes Seen Among Children Between the ages of 5 and 10. Observed during the War Ware Asociated With Food Crawings, Food Fussiness, Aversion to Certain Foods and No Or Decreased Applicite. Disrupties in eating behavior were particular brieft about by Food Insecurity, Geographical Displacement and Separation from Close Relatives.

“The Findings Highlight a Significant and Strong Connection Between Various War-Related Experiences and Increash disrupts in Eating Behavior,” Says Dina Fedorova, A Visiting Scholar Urant and Craft (Food) Technologies, State University of Trade and Economics in Kyiv, Ukraine.

In a follow-up study, Titled “Well-Being of Ukrainian Children” and Launched in January 2025, The Researchers Survey How Ukrainian Refugee Families Families Adapt to their new Cultural and Culinary Environment. The Study Focuses Particularly on Children and Examins Both Disrupttions in their Eating Behavior Cured by War-Related Stress and Dietary Changes.

“We Investigate Stress Related to the War, Eating Behavior, Adaptation to a New Culture and Food Consumption in the school environment among ukrainian refugeee living in finland. Roups, Refugee Children in Finland and Children Living in Ukraine As well as finnish child of the same age, and assess how refugee status affects food consumption and eating behavior, “Erkkola says.

Professor Erkkola’s Group will continue its research on well-being related to the war in ukraine, now among familyies who have had fled from Ukraine to Finland. In Finland, the collaboration partner is the Ukrainian Association in Finland.