The increasing prevalence of obesity and associated chronic noncommunicable diseases (NCDs), including type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), cardiovascular disease (CVD), osteoarthritis, neurodegenerative diseases, and cancer, has led to the development of the concept of an obesogenic environment as a combination of dietary, physical, social, and economic factors that contribute to weight gain and obesity.
Objective of the review is to analyze the accumulated data on the role of obesogenic environmental factors in the development of obesity and associated diseases. To analyze recently accumulated data on the role of obesogenic environment factors in the development of obesity and associated diseases.
Materials and methods. А literature search was conducted using the Russian Science Citation Index (RSCI), PubMed, and Google Scholar using the keywords «obesogenic environment» and «obesity.» A literature search was conducted using the Russian Science Citation Index (RSCI), PubMed, and Google Scholar databases using the keywords «obesogenic environment» and «obesity.»
Results. Аn association was demonstrated between increasing body mass index (BMI) and increasing consumption of ultra-processed foods (UPF), which primarily consist of prepared ingredients with little or no whole food. These include soft drinks, sweet and salty snacks, chips, French fries, and sausages. UPF are not included in any of the currently developed healthy eating pyramids. Obesogens can come from environmental pollutants (metal ions in water, microparticles in the air, etc.). Obesogenic factors include low physical activity. Improving the dietary structure and enriching the diet with specialized foods fortified with micronutrients and biologically active substances reduces the impact of obesogenic factors.
Conclusion. The development and progression of obesity are multifaceted. To combat obesity and associated diseases, an integrated approach that encompasses all known mechanisms, including changes in dietary habits and social and behavioral factors, appears appropriate.
BMI values, both higher and lower than the age- and sex-appropriate norm, are associated with an increased mortality risk. At low BMI values, mortality increases primarily due to a decrease in lean body mass, while at high values, it increases due to an increase in fat mass. Using a method that combines assessment of body mass index and body fat percentage, it is possible to avoid diagnostic errors and identify conditions such as false obesity, the gracile and muscular body types typical of athletes, and hidden obesity, which is often detected in young people with physical inactivity or poor diet. This article proposes a classification and codification of true and hidden nutritional status conditions based on BMI gradations and body fat percentage. We examine a pattern of intersection of BMI and body fat percentage cutoff values against two-dimensional age-sex centiles in the space of fat free mass and fat mass indices, reflecting the prevalence of common and rare variants of combined nutritional status in the population. For diagnostic purposes, this pattern can be applied to the field of actual values of FMI, FFMI, BMI, and%FM for a specific age-sex group.
Many biologically active substances, including vitamins, essential macro- and microelements, and vitamin-like compounds, have properties that may potentially reduce pathological changes and improve the condition of patients with obesity and associated diseases, such as type 2 diabetes (DМ2), cardiovascular diseases (CVD), and others.
The purpose of this review is to characterize the micronutrient status of patients with obesity, to justify the need for the use of multivitamin-mineral supplements (MMS) in the dietary treatment of this disease, and to determine their doses to ensure clinical effectiveness. Patients with obesity are characterized by multiple micronutrient deficiencies of varying degrees, i.e., a simultaneous lack of several vitamins and minerals. Patients with obesity and/or DМ2 have an increased need for vitamins C and D. Many medications impair the absorption of vitamins. A sufficiently long-term intake of multimicronutrient supplements containing vitamins in a dose commensurate with the recommended daily intake (RDА) leads to an increase blood plasma micronutrient concentration and the elimination of many metabolic disturbances caused by micronutrient deficiencies. The intake of micronutrients in physiological doses should be continuous, because their «leaching» begins after discontinuation, leading to a return to the initial micronutrient deficiency status provided by the basic diet. The selection of multivitamin-mineral supplements for patients with obesity is based on the use of micronutrient doses commensurate with the RDА.
Long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) of the omega-3 class, primarily eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), have remained at the forefront of basic medicine, nutritional science, and clinical pharmacology for many decades. Large-scale epidemiological data consistently demonstrate that high consumption of marine lipids is associated with a reduced risk of cardiovascular, neurodegenerative, and systemic metabolic diseases. However, when these epidemiological observations are translated into the setting of randomized clinical trials investigating standardized omega-3 supplements and prescription formulations, the scientific community is regularly confronted with heterogeneous and, at times, directly contradictory results. Such inconsistency in clinical outcomes is driven not only by differences in study design, dosage regimens, or the severity of patients’ underlying pathology, but also by fundamental biochemical factors that are often underestimated in routine clinical practice. Of key importance are the source of the raw material, the chemical and stereochemical forms of lipid molecules, and the presence of accompanying active compounds (antioxidants and structural lipids), which together determine molecular stability, digestion kinetics, bioavailability, and the ability of active metabolites to reach target cells.
Zinc has been shown to have a positive effect on recovery from pneumonia, colds, and diarrhea. There is also evidence of a link between low zinc levels and the severity of the novel coronavirus infection, leading to active study of its use as a non-specific prophylaxis and adjuvant therapy for COVID-19. The most pronounced effect of zinc supplementation is expected in individuals with subclinical or severe zinc deficiency. Due to the high incidence of zinc deficiency and its significant contribution to a wide range of pathologies, zinc deficiency correction is an economically feasible intervention. Nutrition correction using the Zinc Chelate dietary supplement increases resistance to acute respiratory viral infections, alleviates their course, and improves the convalescence period; improvement of the immune locus of the vital domain of intrinsic viability has pleiotropic effects on the aesthetic domain of intrinsic viability.
Early detection of nutritional deficiencies in young athletes is a priority and serves as a measure for monitoring health status at all stages of athletic training. Using a method that combines body mass index and body fat percentage assessment, it is possible to avoid diagnostic errors and identify conditions such as pseudo-obesity, the gracile and muscular body types typical of athletes, and hidden obesity, which is often found in young people with physical inactivity or poor nutrition.
The aim of this study was to assess the nutritional status of girls aged 7–20 years specializing in rhythmic gymnastics, using a comprehensive method based on a combination of WHO standards, body composition assessment results, comparison of BMI and %FBM values to identify hidden conditions, and a comparison of the athletes’ indicators with those of a comparison group.
Boxing, as a sport with high loads and risk of injury, is one of the disciplines with an increased risk of using substances prohibited in sports. The need to evaluate real-world pharmacological support practices and their compliance with the principles of evidence-based medicine is an important scientific and practical task.
Purpose. To investigate the structure and frequency of consumption of permitted drugs among Russian boxers based on data from doping control protocols and to assess the compliance of the identified practices with modern scientific evidence.
Materials and methods. A retrospective analysis of 182 anonymized doping control protocols of Russian boxers for 2024 was conducted. The data from the section «Statement on medicines/food additives» of the doping control protocols were analyzed. Statistical processing included a descriptive analysis with an assessment of demographic indicators and the frequency of use of individual funds by gender and age.
Results. 84% of athletes (153 out of 182) reported using medications. The average number of medicines claimed by athletes was 1.71 items per person. There were no statistically significant gender differences in the number of claimed drugs (p>0.05, Mann – Whitney test). The largest average number of medicines was recorded in the age group of 17–18 years (2.04). The most popular categories were vitamin and mineral complexes (Supradin) and magnesium preparations (Magnesium Plus) and metabolic drugs («Riboxin» and «Hypoxene»). The frequency of their use varied in different age groups.
Conclusion. The study revealed a wide prevalence of pharmacological support among boxers. However, the analysis of literature data demonstrates that the use of many popular drugs (for example, Riboxin and Hypoxene) there is no convincing evidence of efficacy in randomized controlled trials.
Measuring or predicting basal metabolic rate is a first and important step in determining energy expenditure among athletes.
Objective. The aim of this study was to develop an equation for predicting basal metabolic rate for qualified male athletes practicing sambo and/or judo.
Methods. The study involved 25 qualified athletes specializing in sambo and/or judo. Bioelectrical impedance analysis, indirect calorimetry, and mathematical statistics were used.
Results. The developed equation demonstrated high predictive accuracy: the calculated BMR (2249±296 kcal/day) did not statistically differ from the measured one (2249±346 kcal/day) at p=0.997. The model is characterized by a strong correlation (r=0.86), the absence of systematic error (bias 0.12 kcal/day) and confirmed stability in cross-validation (R2=0.796).
Conclusions. The results indicate that the developed equation is a reliable tool for estimating BMR in athletes practicing sambo and/or judo. The model can be used in the practical work of coaches and sports nutrition specialists to more accurately plan energy supply and monitor body weight in conditions where direct measurement methods are unavailable.
This article substantiates the relevance of using nutritional support, particularly dietary supplements, to improve the functional status of amateur athletes under intense physical activity. Particular attention is paid to coenzyme Q10 (ubiquinone), a fat-soluble compound that plays a key role in energy metabolism (ATP synthesis in mitochondria) and has antioxidant properties. A review of the literature confirms that exogenous Q10 supplementation can help improve endurance, reduce oxidative stress and muscle damage, and exert cardioprotective and immunomodulatory effects.
Materials and methods. A randomized, placebo-controlled study involved 40 athletes, age 20–28 years divided into two equal groups: main group (n=20): received Q10 at 100 mg/day for 30 days. Comparison group (n=20): received a placebo. Effectiveness was assessed on days 15 and 31 using self-assessment questionnaires, cognitive tests (Schulte Tables), laboratory blood tests (complete blood count and biochemical analysis: CK, CK-MB, troponin T, lipid profile, CRP), exercise ECG, and Echo-CG.
Main Results. Subjective Assessment. The main group showed a significant improvement in well-being: increased tolerance to physical exertion (mean score increased from 6.1 to 7.3), accelerated recovery after training (from 6.0 to 6.8), improved readiness for subsequent loads, and better waking quality. In the placebo group, these indicators remained virtually unchanged.
Laboratory Data. Q10 intake was associated with a decrease in the levels of markers of muscle tissue damage (CK decreased from 418 to 220 U/L, CK-MB from 43.8 to 25.8 U/L), particularly pronounced in athletes with initially elevated values. No significant dynamics were observed in the placebo group.
Instrumental Data. In 70% of athletes taking Q10, a positive effect was observed in the form of normalization (30%) or improvement (40%) of myocardial repolarization processes according to ECG data. No structural changes in the heart were detected by Echo-CG during the short course.
Safety. No allergic reactions or adverse effects were recorded during the intake period.
Conclusion. This study demonstrated that incorporating coenzyme Q10 into the diet of junior athletes at a dosage of 100 mg/day for 30 days is a safe and effective method of nutritional correction.
The article presents a summary of published scientific research on the dangers of passive smoking, nutritional and other factors for preventing the impact of passive smoking on children’s health. The authors analyze domestic and international publications on this topic. Information platforms for raising students’ awareness of healthy lifestyle issues were analyzed. The article presents preventive measures and various methods that can be effective in combating the effects of passive smoking, and provides food products that are sources of essential nutrients, vitamins, antioxidants, minerals important for the proper formation and functioning of body tissues during inflammation, decreased immunity, toxic poisoning, etc.
Relevance. Congenital ichthyosis (CI) is a group of rare skin diseases characterized by impaired keratinization. All forms of CI are associated with impaired skin barrier function, which creates a high risk of transcutaneous sensitization to food allergens and the development of food allergy (FA). Aim: to identify the features of FA in children with various forms of CI.
Materials and methods. An ambispective study was conducted, including 61 children with CI. Patients were divided into 4 groups: Group I – 18 individuals with Netherton syndrome; Group II – 19 children with autosomal recessive CI; Group III – 14 patients with keratinopathic CI; Group IV – 20 children with ichthyosis vulgaris. In all groups, an assessment of allergic history, total immunoglobulin E levels, specific immunoglobulin E levels to 5 allergens was performed, and if necessary, a diagnostic diet and open food challenge were conducted.
Results. Analysis of sIgE levels showed that sensitization to egg white, cow’s milk, and cod was most frequently observed. The highest frequency of elevated sIgE levels was found in children in Groups I, II, and IV. Food allergy occurred in all groups: in Group I – 100.0%, in Group II – 68.42%, in Group III – 42.86%, and in Group IV – 90.0% of cases. Cutaneous-gastrointestinal symptoms of FA predominated in children in Groups I, II, and III, while cutaneous manifestations of FA were more characteristic for children in Group IV. The most common clinically significant food allergens were chicken egg, cow’s milk, gluten-containing products, fish, and nuts.
Conclusions. The obtained data allowed for the assessment of the frequency and features of comorbid FA in children with various forms of CI.
Congenital ichthyosis is a group of rare genetic disorders characterized by impaired keratinization and skin barrier dysfunction. The common pathogenetic link for various forms of ichthyosis is structural damage to the epidermis, leading to increased transepidermal water loss and reduced protective function, which creates conditions for transcutaneous sensitization to food allergens. This mechanism is particularly well described in Netherton syndrome, associated with a mutation in the SPINK5 gene, and vulgar ichthyosis, associated with mutations in the filaggrin gene. However, in other forms of congenital ichthyosis, the characteristics of food sensitization and manifestations of food allergy have not been studied. The penetration of food allergens through the damaged skin barrier triggers a cascade of immune reactions that contribute to the activation of the Th2 immune response and the production of specific IgE, often leading to food sensitization and food allergy. The development of food allergies in the context of congenital ichthyosis exacerbates the course of the underlying disease and contributes to the formation of nutritional status disorders and growth retardation due to both restrictive diets without adequate nutritional support and a deficiency of nutrients and trace elements. This review focuses on the role of epidermal barrier dysfunction as a key link in the development of comorbid food allergies in patients with congenital ichthyosis and emphasizes the need for an interdisciplinary approach for this category of patients.
ISSN 2949-2807 (Online)























