Assessment of Actual Nutrition of Schoolchildren in the Republic of Tatarstan Based on the Results of Monitoring Activities

Abstract

Introduction: One of the main principles of balanced nutrition is the adequate energy value of the diet consistent with the child’s energy expenditures mostly attributed to physical activity. Failure to comply with basic principles of healthy eating leads to developmental disorders and diet-related diseases in children, thus requiring a serious attitude towards nutrition issues and determining the relevance of this study. Objective: To assess organization and quality of actual nutrition of schoolchildren with account for their physical activity. Materials and methods: We analyzed data of a questionnaire-based survey of 1,163 schoolchildren (626 girls and 537 boys) carried out during the 2020/21 academic year in five schools of the city of Kazan. Daily energy expenditures and the level of physical activity were assessed using the method developed by the Novosibirsk Research Institute of Hygiene (Invention Patent No. 272262 of July 28, 2020). Statistical data processing was done using STATISTICA 10 and Microsoft Office Excel 2016. Results: Our findings showed that the observed dietary calcium intake in children aged 7–11 years and 12 years and older was over 60 % lower than the recommended value, that of fluorine and magnesium – 86.5 % and 53.05 %, and 6.8 % and 9.5 % lower than the appropriate recommended values in children of the same age groups, respectively. Phosphorus deficiency in the daily diet of children aged 12 years and older exceeded 25 %. The dietary intake of potassium, iodine, and selenium satisfied physiological requirements for the age groups of children studied. Energy expenditures of the children, including their level of physical activity, basic metabolism, the value of the specific dynamic action of food, and the total value of daily energy expenditures, were estimated using the Internet resource “Assessment of Physical Activities”. Conclusion: The revealed regional features of malnutrition of schoolchildren confirm the importance of effective monitoring activities and require the development of appropriate preventive measures aimed at promoting commitment to principles and habits of healthy eating in pupils.