Prevalence of metabolic disorders in the imbalance of selenium in schoolchildren of 13–14 years old

Abstract

In modern conditions, the need for vital nutrients, in particular, micronutrients, varies depending on age, season, physical activity. The modern diet of ordinary natural products cannot provide a sufficient level of consumption of micronutrients, which play an important role in various metabolic processes of the body. Such an element may be selenium. Seasona l manifestations of selenium deficiency in the body of schoolchildren aged 13–14 in the Leninogorsk district of the Republic of Tatarstan (RT) are associated with insufficient intake of trace elements from the environment, in particular selenium, contribute to metabolic disorders. For this purpose, a seasonal analysis of biomaterials (hair) taken from adolescents (n = 84, 50 % of them boys) aged 13–14 years [median (Me) — 13.5 years] was carried out among schoolchildren for the quantitative content of selenium. Anthropometric studies were carried out, the body composition of the examined schoolchildren was assessed, the frequency of the lack of selenium content among adolescents. The studies revealed concentrations of selenium in the hair of adolescents below the reference values: in boys in 35 % of cases, in girls — in 43 %. This fact correlates with body mass index, fat mass, active cell mass, with musculoskeletal mass, with the basic metabolism. When assessing the actual nutrition among adolescents, a lack of selenium in the diet was revealed in 55 % of boys and 64 % of girls. To correct selenium deficiency in the diet, a seasonal fortification of the school menu is proposed — fortification of food products with selenium and iodine at the same time, since these trace elements are functionally closely interrelated, the creation of accessible laboratory control for the quantitative content of selenium and iodine in local food products.