Food Quality Issues and Nutrient Deficiency
Deficiencies of essential nutrients are recorded everywhere, regardless of the region of residence and season of the year. This affects growth rates, immunity, and overall performance.
Key alimentary deficiencies:
- Calcium and iron. The shortage is associated with insufficient presence of milk, dairy products, and meat in the diet. Meat products serve as the main source of necessary iron.
- Trace elements. Deficiencies of copper, zinc, iodine, fluorine, and selenium have reached the scale of a national problem (which is also typical for European and American countries). It is important to note that selenium acts as a crucial link in antioxidant defense.
Hygienic inadequacy of food products poses a serious threat. Food can be contaminated with microorganisms or xenobiotics. The latter include heavy metal salts (mercury, cadmium, lead), nitrates, nitrites, nitrosamines, as well as residual traces of pesticides and antibiotics.
Impact of Lifestyle and Environmental Factors
A healthy lifestyle (HLS) implies the implementation of positive behavioral attitudes to maintain health and active longevity. Its foundation consists of sufficient physical activity, proper work, rest and dietary regimens, as well as the complete rejection of bad habits (smoking, alcohol, drugs) that destroy mental and somatic health.
Environmental factors directly affecting morbidity:
- Epidemiological. Close contact in children's groups accelerates the spread of measles, pertussis, scarlet fever, rubella, chickenpox, and diphtheria. The decline in vaccination coverage in the 1990s led to a sharp surge in vaccine-preventable infections (poliomyelitis, diphtheria).
- Endemic. Living in specific biogeochemical provinces (including those created by industry) provokes the development of endemic goiter, fluorosis, caries, urolithiasis, as well as molybdenum and strontium rickets.
- Climatic. Cold climates increase the frequency of colds, while hot climates contribute to the development of thermoregulation disorders, skin, parasitic, and bacterial diseases.
Educational Process Hygiene and Teaching Aids (TAs)
The period of education from 6–7 to 17–19 years of age is associated with the constant impact of school environment factors. Non-compliance with hygienic standards leads to pathologies:
- Myopia. Caused by poor lighting, improper seating arrangements, irrational teaching aids, and violation of reading rules. The proportion of children with nearsightedness is steadily growing by graduating classes.
- Posture disorders. Scoliosis and kyphosis develop against the background of incorrect posture and the use of irrational school furniture.
- Overwork. A borderline state arising due to a disrupted study routine. Without correction, it progresses into pathology.
To increase interest in learning, TAs (projectors, TVs, computers) are used. However, their use requires strict regulation of time, otherwise visual and overall performance drops sharply.
Impact of Computers on Children's Health
Working at a video display terminal (VDT) has a complex negative impact on the growing body:
- Central nervous system. The rhythmic signals of the monitor impair well-being. Prolonged work causes irritability, sleep disorders, headaches, decreased color discrimination, and even depressive states. Memory processes and the formation of new conditioned reflexes deteriorate.
- Electromagnetic fields (EMF). A variable electric field alters mineral metabolism (mineral demand increases, adrenal glands are activated, membrane ion channel function changes, calcium excretion rises). EMFs also increase the concentration of positive ions in the air, which attract dust, leading to allergization and the risk of eczema (when working 2–6 hours a day).
- Musculoskeletal system. A forced posture overloads the spine (neck and chest pain). A multitude of small movements with improper hand positioning causes median nerve compression and tenosynovitis.
- Microclimate. The environment in computer labs is disrupted: temperature rises to 22–23 °C (norm is 18–20 °C), humidity drops to 30% (norm is 40–60%), and dry air accumulates charged microparticles.
Class and exam questions
Why does calcium and iron deficiency occur in children?
The primary cause is insufficient consumption of milk and dairy products (sources of calcium) and meat, which is the main dietary source of iron.
Through which pathway do most xenobiotics enter the body?
About 60–70% of all foreign substances (heavy metals, pesticides, nitrates) enter via the alimentary route, that is, along with contaminated food.
How does working at a computer affect mineral metabolism?
The variable electric field activates the adrenal glands and affects ion channels. As a result, urine composition changes, calcium loss increases sharply, and phosphorus retention occurs.
What contributes to allergization when working with a display?
Electromagnetic fields increase the number of positive ions in the air. These ions adsorb dust, which when inhaled causes allergization and increases the risk of eczema.
What else to study on this topic
- Mechanisms of electromagnetic field effects on cell membranes and the immune system
- Specifics of the formation of biogeochemical provinces and their role in endemic morbidity
- Hygienic rationing of working time with video display terminals for different age groups
- Prevention of tenosynovitis and tunnel syndromes in schoolchildren
- Interrelationship between microclimate indicators and electrostatic dust charge in indoor environments
Master the entire topic in the "Hygiene" course
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- Full methodological guide on "Organization of Nutrition for Children and Adolescents" and 530 more pages of the subject
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Other topics in "Chapter 10. Basics of Child and Adolescent Hygiene"
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