Stastical methods in studies on the status of nutrition of military personnel

Abstract

The possibility of applying the nonparametric statistical methods to solve the tasks of investigating and appraising the index status of nutrition of military servicemen is considered. The experience to use in parallel several statistical algorithms for testing hypotheses is shown. An approach was worked out to test a sequence of hypotheses going one after another when testing the previous hypothesis influences the choice of subsequent hypothesis to test. This approach is formalized as a scheme to incrementally estimate the status of nutrition of military servicemen. The proposed model of status of nutrition exploration is used to obtain the quality and quantity digital estimation of the expected trend of a certain controllable parameter or a group of parameters of status of nutrition. It is established that among the considered indicators of the status of nutrition, the prevailing number of them has undergone a regular change in different periods of a prolonged sea voyage, depending on the balance of the main food components (proteins, fats and carbohydrates) with other nutrients and on the energy costs of the body of servicemen. The algorithm for studying the status of nutrition of servicemen with the use of nonparametric methods of statistical analysis made it possible to reveal a number of changes in metabolic processes occurring at the prenosological level and conditioned by the peculiarities of nutrition and the nature of military professional activity. On the basis of the research results obtained, requirements for the content of vitamins and minerals in the diet, as well as vitamin-mineral complexes, necessary for strengthening the body’s protective functions and preventing various diseases, can be formulated. Applying this model enlarges greatly the exploration possibilities when the methodical recommendations and normative documents to regulate the nutrition of military servicemen are developed.