Dietary intake in indigenous adolescents in rural Buryatia, Russia

Abstract

Background. The diet of adolescents is an important factor in their future health. The diet is formed under the influence of biological, personal, family, socio-economic, environmental, and cultural factors.The aim: to study the diet of adolescents in rural areas of Buryatia and compare the dietary intake of the Russian and Buryat ethnic groups.Materials and methods. The study included 92 rural adolescents 11–17 years old (44 boys, 48 girls); 49 of them were Buryats, 43 – Russians. Dietary intake was assessed by the food record method. The intake of energy, macronutrients (proteins, fats and carbohydrates) and micronutrients (major groups of vitamins and trace elements) of the diet was determined. The values obtained were compared with references to daily energy and nutrient intake, and between groups of adolescents of different ethnicity.Results. The diets of rural adolescents were not balanced. Only 7.6 % of adolescents include fish in their diet. Milk and dairy products are consumed by 38 % of the respondents. Daily energy intake was significantly lower the recommended guidelines. The diet is characterized by a deficiency of vitamins of groups A, C, and D, group B (with the exception of cobalamin), niacin, biotin, essential trace elements (calcium, phosphorus, iodine), high sodium intake. A significant deficiency of dietary fiber has been noted. The Buryats showed a shift in the ratio of proteins, fats and carbohydrates in the diet towards carbohydrates (1 : 1.2 : 5.3).Conclusion. The results indicate significant disturbances in the composition of the diet in rural adolescents in Buryatia, more pronounced in the Asian subgroup. This can be a rationale for the development of targeted nutrition monitoring programs aimed at preserving the health of the youth.