Introduction. According to the results of available studies, health status of cadets is often higher than in general population, however, data shows unfavorable trends in the physical development of cadet boys.Aim. Analysis of cadets' physical development.Materials and methods. 122 cadet boys aged 12-15 were included in the study using the continuous sampling method. All children underwent anthropometry, bioimpedance analysis and measurement of the functional state of the body. The results were evaluated in accordance with centile chart.Results and discussion. The majority of children (80 - 65.6%) had 1st health group. The most common pathology was refraction disorders (14 - 11.5%) and urological pathology (9 - 7.4%). Height of the majority of the examined boys was in the average values, however, short stature was found out in 4 (3.3%) cases. According to BMI, 4.9% (6) of children were underweight, 32.0% (39) - overweight and 4.1% (5) had obesity. According to percentage of fat mass by bioimpedance analysis, 4.1% (5) were underweight, 27.0% (33) - overweight and 22.1% (27) were obese. Muscle strength values below the average were in 11.5% (14) of boys, and muscle strength by kg of weight - in 36.1% (44). Almost a third (33 - 27.0%) of children had high blood pressure, and another 10 people (8.2%) had arterial hypertension. According to the results of the Martinet-Kushelevsky test, nine children had pathological type of reaction to dosed physical activity. Low resistance to anaerobic exercise by Genchi test was found in 19.7% (24) of children. The results of the coordination test showed unsatisfactory results in the majority of children - 48.4% (59).Conclusion. Physical development of adolescent boys studying in the cadet corps was average. High percentage of boys, although less, then in general population, were overweight and obese. Despite seemingly optimal nutrition, daily routine and physical activity provided in cadet corps, 20% of children had low resistance to anaerobic exercise, low strength index and non-physiological response of the cardiovascular system to dosed physical activity.

Iron deficiency anemia remains a significant problem in pediatric practice with its prevalence of 6–40% in the Russian Federation. Oral iron supplementation is the most common first-line treatment especially in outpatient setting. Despite adequate efficacy of oral supplementation, the problem of its side effects and, primarily, gastrointestinal toxicity remains. This review examines the issue of the potential effect of iron supplementation on gut microbiota composition, presents data from studies in animal models and in clinical studies.

Background. Iron deficiency remains the most frequent nutrient deficiency in the world. Its negative impact on the physical and psychomotor development determines the importance of its timely, fast, and complete correction. Thus, the clinical efficacy of iron supplementation and its effect on body function, especially in latent iron deficiency (LID), is still insufficiently studied.Objective. The aim of the study is to identify the effect of iron supplementation in various dosages on functional performance of healthy adolescent boys but considering the initial iron levels.Methods. The study covered teenage boys 12–17 years old from I and II health groups studying in Samara Cadet Corps. All children were divided into groups according to the examination results (CBC, serum ferritin level): study group — 20 children with iron deficiency (3 children with iron deficiency anemia (IDA) were not included in this analysis), and the control group — 99 children. All children received iron supplements for 30 days: children with LID — 2.5 mg/kg/day, healthy children — 15 mg/day.Results. Normalization of serum ferritin was achieved only in 75% (16) of children after 30 days of iron intake. The mean timed expiratory capacity was 20" (16 ± 25) in healthy and 17.5" (11.25 ± 21.75) in iron deficiency (p = 0.081) group. There is a tendency to prolong the breath retention time on exhalation after supplementation in LID group (p = 0.068). The recovery time of heart rate before supplementation was 118.8 ± 71.7" in study group and 168.0 ± 98.5" in control group (p = 0.045) according to the results of the Martin – Kushelevsky test. After supplementation it has decreased only in study group (p = 0.009). The children's muscle strength in compared groups did not differ before (p = 0.486) and after (p = 0.567) supplementation, however, it has increased in the control group regarding the initial values (p = 0.003). Physical fitness indicators in both groups did not differ before supplementation. Study group significantly improved the running time by 60 m (p = 0.038) after supplementation. Control group has shown positive dynamics for three indicators: pulling out from suspension on high bar (p = 0.019), long jump (p = 0.026), and running at 60 m (0.018). Moreover, there were no differences between study and control groups after supplementation.Conclusion. Iron deficiency has moderate negative effect on adaptive respiratory and cardiovascular capabilities and fatigue. Iron supplementation mainly improves the indicators of cardiovascular system in case of iron deficiency, and indicators of muscle strength and physical fitness in case of normal iron levels.