[Assessment of the structure and quality of nutrition as a factor that influences thyroid functional activity]

The purpose of the study was to determine the provision of schoolchildren with vitamin A, beta-carotene, and zinc, by taking into account their mutual effect on thyroid functional activity. The study was retrospective and performed by the Adygei Branch of the Kuban State Medical University, Federal Health Care and Social Development Agency (Maikop). The nutrition pattern was studied in 103 pupils living in the Republic of Adygea. The amount of food used with- in 3 days (with one day-off being compulsorily included) was estimated to determine the actual dietary levels of micronutrients in the schoolchildren. Their provision with vitamin A and beta-carotene was determined by the dark adaptation test (Kravkov-Purkinje test). The data were processed by parametric statistical methods, by using the computer program "Statistica 5.0". Questionnaire analysis has indicated that the diet is unbalanced in the majority of the examined schoolchildren. The study revealed the insufficient dietary intake of iodine, zinc, vitamin A, and beta-carotene. About half the parents of the schoolchildren participating in the study indicated the use of iodinated salt for cooking. Insufficient vitamin A provision was revealed in 77.8% of the pupils. For prevention of deficiencies of vitamin A and traces, 37% of the schoolchildren were found to take multivitamin preparations. Vitamin A deficiency is one of the factors contributing to the development of iodine deficiencies. Along with this, by affecting vitamin A metabolism, inadequate dietary intake of zinc adversely affects thyroid functional activity. Monitoring of adequate dietary intake of vitamin A and zinc should be one of the stages in preventing iodine deficiencies and reducing the number of risk groups in an area with low environmental iodine levels.