Cherkassy Institute of Fire Safety named after Chornobyl Heroes of the National University of Civil Protection of Ukraine, Kyiv, Ukraine

SUMMARY. The general level of nutrition of the population of Ukraine was studied. The degree of satisfaction of physiological nutritional needs was studied through the main indicators of food quality — energy and protein. As the starting point for this, the Standards for the physiological needs of the population of Ukraine in the main nutrients and energy and the annual statistics were taken. The analysis of the results showed that during the years 2010-2016 the index of physiological norm of consumption of food energy should be in the range of 2457-2380 kcal, in average 2400 kcal. Indicators for protein should be 75,7-75,9 g and 75,4 g respectively. The actual indices for providing physiological nutritional needs for energy and protein were 2983-2742, 2905 kcal, 87,5-84,1, 87,5 g. respectively. The energy-protein ratio during the years 2010-2016 normally should be in the amount of 31,5-31,7 and an average of 31,8 kcal/g. The actual values were at the level of 34,1-32,6 and 33,2 respectively. The indicator of protein-energy ratio, for the years 2010-2016, should normally be in the range of 30,8-31,5 and in average 31,4 g/1000 kcal. Actual values were at the level of 29,3-32,6 and 30,1 g /1000 kcal respectively. The actual average energy-protein ratio was higher for 4,4 percent, while the protein-energy ratio was 4,1 percent lower.

The values of the energy-protein and protein-energy ratio indicate the level of physiological fullness of the diet. The obtained results can be used as one of the possible approaches for analyzing the overall quality of the population's nutrition.

Key Words: nutrition, energy, protein, physiological norms, energy-protein ratio, protein-energy ratio.

Introduction. Among such basic instincts as survival, reproduction, cognition and nutrition, the nutritive instinct is decisive.

Nutrition is one of the most important factors in maintaining health. Medical and epidemiological data provide strong evidence for a relationship between nutrition and the most common noncommunicable diseases, such as cardiovascular disease and some types of cancer [1].

The food, which enters human body, undergoes multiple transformations due to various factors: it may be subject to hydrolysis, new combinations and repeated disintegration. In this, it embodies the process of life in its entirety and diversity: from the most elementary physical properties of the body up to the highest manifestations of human nature [2].

An important objective and challenge of today is to create and implement a modern regulatory and legal background for assessment of quality and safety of food products using medical criteria [3].

The scientists in many sectors of national economy, as well as economists, should work continuously to improve actual rational nutrition [4, P. 92].

Review of recent studies and publications. According to some estimates, 50–60% of human health depend on nutrition and only 5–10% depend on advances in healthcare [1]. The nutritional patterns in the majority of population are not rational, and as such, they require mandatory improvement, both through organizational interventions and through health education [5]. According to reports by the experts of Food and Agriculture Organization and the World Health Organization of the United Nations, Ukraine should focus attention on the need to reduce energy consumption and to achieve an energy balance that would maintain optimal body weights [6].

The Law of Ukraine “On Food Safety of Ukraine” deals with the issues of highest importance. Thus, the main principle and an imperative objective in this area includes physical and economical availability of wholesome and safe food products for all segments of the population. The quantity of these foods should support an active and a healthy lifestyle. An important component of this approach includes health outreach to the population, educating them in principles of rational nutrition based on regulatory norms of food product consumption. These norms, as well as the recommended consumption levels for fundamental foods (in compliance with modern rational nutrition requirements and essential for a full-fledged, active and healthy life), are regulated by the health authorities of central executive bodies [7].

The objective of the study. Development of appropriate methods, which, based on analysis of statistical quantitative physiological indices of consumption of main nutrients and energy, would inform the assessment of nutrition quality in the country’s population.

Results and discussion. Fundamental qualitative nutritional indices include the dietary content of energy and protein. In 2017, the Ministry of Health approved the norms of physiological requirements of Ukrainian population in the main nutrients and energy, where, in addition to other nutrients, energy and protein are viewed as fundamental parameters. All internal processes in humans, as well as in other living organisms, are maintained at the expense of endogenous energy, which is generated in the organism via nutritional interactions with the environment. Food products are a source of energy for the organism. The adequacy of the diet defines how well the organism is supplied with energy and the principal nutrients. The amount of energy in the diet is a decisive factor. Any changes in food energy, be it decrease or increase, may lead to adverse consequences.

The prevalence of multiple degenerative diseases, including cardiovascular disease, many types of cancer, diabetes and biliary tract problems, gout and obesity, as well as other causes, are associated with excessive caloric consumption at the expense of fats and simple carbohydrates [1].

The proteins are irreplaceable or essential substances, without which life, growth and development of human organism would be impossible. This is attributable to physiological and hygienic functions performed by dietary proteins in the human organism, namely:

• Supply of essential amino acids
• Maintenance of structure and catalytic functions of enzymes
• Mechanical and structural functions in the body
• Support of humoral regulation of vital processes in the organism via hormonally active polypeptides
• Transportation of oxygen, steroid hormones and metals
• Buffer role
• Proper functioning of the immune system
• Implementation of physiological roles of other nutrients in the food.

Excessive consumption of protein leads to different abnormalities in human organism. Human diet should maintain safe levels of daily consumption of proteins based on 1 g per 1 kg of body mass [6].

Quality assessment of physiological supply with energy and protein in Ukrainian population included the use of the following methods: calculation and statistical method, mathematical method and comparative method. Sources of information to conduct this analytical study included the related regulatory documents and statistical data.

Calculation of mean normal daily physiological requirement for children of the first year of life in alimentary energy and protein is given in Table 1.

 

Table 1

Mean daily physiological norm of energy and protein for children of the first year of life^*

 

^* Developed by the author based on data of normal physiological requirements of Ukrainian population in principal nutrients and energy [9] and on the table of mean anthropometric data of children in the first year of life [10].

 

Calculation of mean daily norm of physiological requirements of children in energy and protein from birth to 17 years of age, by different age groups is shown in Table 2.

 

Table 2

Mean daily physiological norm of energy and protein for children of different age groups^*

 

 ^* Developed by the author based on data of normal physiological requirements of Ukrainian population in principal nutrients and energy [9] and Table 1.

 

Calculation of mean normal daily physiological requirement for adult population is given in Table 3.

 

Table 3

Mean daily physiological norm of requirements in energy and protein for adult population^*

 ^* Developed by the author based on data of normal physiological requirements of Ukrainian population in principal nutrients and energy [9].

 

Weighted mean values of daily physiological norm of energy requirements per one weighted mean resident, using norms of physiological requirements in energy (Tables 2 and 3; age groups of the population taken from publicly available statistical sources, as of January 1 of the respective year) were calculated from Equation 1:

(1)

where  = weighted mean value of the “energy” parameter;

x_i = variant, i.e. mean value of the “energy” parameter for food products per a weighted mean resident of a given age group;

n_i = the number of persons in a given age group.

Weighted mean values of a daily physiological norm of protein requirements per one weighted mean resident, using norms of physiological requirements in energy (Tables 2 and 3; numbers of population in age groups taken from publicly available statistical sources, as of January 1 of the respective year) were obtained from Equation 2:

(2)

where  = weighted mean value of the “protein” parameter;

x_i = variant, i.e. mean value of the “protein” parameter for food products per a weighted mean resident of a given age group;

n_i = the number of persons in a given age group.

The physiological norm of energy to protein ratio was obtained from Equation 3:

(3)

where epr_N = energy to protein ratio, the physiological norm in kcal per 1 g of protein;

e_N = mean daily physiological norm of dietary energy, kcal;

p_N = mean daily physiological norm of protein, g.

The actual energy to protein ratio was obtained from Equation 4:

(4)

where epr_f = energy to protein ratio (actual), kcal per 1 g of protein;

e_f = mean daily actual supply of dietary energy, kcal;

p_f = mean daily actual consumption of protein, g.

The physiological norm of protein to energy ratio was obtained from Equation 5:

(5)

where per_N = protein to energy ratio (physiological norm), g of protein per 1000 kcal;

p_N = mean daily physiological norm of protein, g;

e_N = mean daily physiological norm of dietary energy, 1000 kcal;

The actual protein to energy ratio was obtained from Equation 6:

(6)

where per_f = energy to protein ratio (actual), g of protein per 1000 kcal;

p_f = mean daily (actual) consumption of protein, g;

e_f = mean daily actual supply of dietary energy, 1000 kcal;

The method of comparison was used for further analysis of the results obtained.

Calculation of mean daily physiological norm of energy requirement per one averaged person is given in Table 4.

 

Table 4

Mean daily physiological norm of energy requirement*

 

* Developed by the author based on statistical data [11, p. 331; 12, p. 331; 13, p. 332; 14, p. 311; 15, p. 324; 16, p. 32 and 17, p. 32], the data of normal physiological requirements of Ukrainian population in principal nutrients and energy [9] and Tables 2, 3.

 

The resulting values for the physiological norm of dietary energy are suggesting that the energy value of a mean daily ration for an averaged person should be within 2457–2380 kcal; actually, it was within 2983–2742 kcal.

Calculation of mean daily physiological norm of protein requirement per one averaged person is given in Table 5.

 

Table 5

Mean daily physiological norm of protein requirement^*

^* Developed by the author based on statistical data [11, p. 331; 12, p. 331; 13, p. 332; 14, p. 311; 15, p. 324; 16, p. 32 and 17, p. 32], the data of normal physiological requirements of Ukrainian population in principal nutrients and energy [9] and Tables 2, 3.

 

The protein value of mean daily ration for an average person according to the obtained values for physiological norm of a dietary energy should be within 75.69-75.09 g; the actual value was at 90.4-84.1 g.

According to Normal Levels of Physiological Needs of Population of Ukraine in Principal Nutrients and Energy [9], the optimum ratio between proteins, fats and carbohydrates in a daily ration (weight-wise) should be 1:1:4. Taking into consideration that the energy value of 1 g of proteins, fats and carbohydrates is, respectively, 4.1, 9.3 and 4.1 kcal, the energy value of a combination of this proportion of nutrients (1 g protein, 1 g fat and 4 g carbohydrates) is 29.8 kcal. That said, energy to protein ratio is 29.8 kcal/g, and protein to energy ratio is 33.6 g/1000 kcal.

In accordance with the Normal Levels of Physiological Needs of Population of Ukraine in Principal Nutrients and Energy, the optimal energy to protein ratio in a daily ration should be (kcal/g):

– In children:

• 1st year of life: 40.8
• 1-3 years: 26.1
• 4-6 years: 29.3
• 6-7 years: 30.0
• 8-10 years: 29.2
• 11-13 years: 29.0
• 14-17 years: 29.0.

– In adults:

• 18-29 years: 33.4
• 30-39 years: 33.5
• 40-59 years: 32.6
• 60-74 years: 30.9
• 75 and older: 32.4.

In accordance with the Normal Levels of Physiological Needs of Population of Ukraine in Principal Nutrients and Energy, the optimal protein to energy ratio in a daily ration should be (g/1000 kcal):

– In children:

• 1st year of life: 24.5
• 1-3 years: 38.3
• 4-6 years: 34.1
• 6-7 years: 33.3
• 8-10 years: 34.3
• 11-13 years: 34.5
• 14-17 years: 34.5.

– In adults:

• 18-29 years: 30.0
• 30-39 years: 29.8
• 40-59 years: 30.7
• 60-74 years: 32.4
• 75 and older: 30.9.

The average value of energy to protein ratio in the daily ration of an averaged resident of Ukraine (with allowance for mean daily requirement of energy and protein) should have been 32.5 kcal/g in 2010, 31.8 kcal/g in 2011 and 31.7 kcal/g in 2012-2016 (Fig 1). The average value of energy to protein ratio in the daily ration of an averaged resident of Ukraine over 7 years (2010–2016) (with allowance for mean daily requirement of energy and protein) should have been at the level of 31.8 kcal/g.

The actual 7-year value of mean energy to protein ratio was at the level of 33.2 kcal/g.

 

Fig.1. Energy to protein ratio^*

^*Developed by the author based on Tables 4 and 5 and the statistical data [11, p. 331; 12, p. 331; 13, p. 332; 14, p. 311; 15, p. 324; 16, p. 32 and 17, p. 32].

 

The protein to energy ratio in a mean daily ration of an averaged resident should have been 30.8 g/1000 kcal in 2010, 31.4 g/1000 kcal in 2011 and 31.5 g/1000 kcal in 2012–2016. The average value of protein to energy ratio in the daily ration of an averaged resident of Ukraine over 7 years (2010–2016) (with allowance for mean daily requirement of energy and protein) should have been at the level of 31.4 g/1000 kcal (Fig. 2).

 

 

Fig. 2. Protein to energy ratio^*

^*Developed by the author based on Tables 4 and 5 and the statistical data [11, p. 331; 12, p. 331; 13, p. 332; 14, p. 311; 15, p. 324; 16, p. 32 and 17, p. 32].

 

The average value of protein to energy ratio over 7 years was actually at the level of 30.1 g/1000 kcal.

CONCLUSIONS. According to data obtained, the actual mean yearly values over seven years (2010-2016) (compared to regulatory values on providing the population with energy and protein) were as follows:

• Energy: higher by 21.1%
• Protein: higher by 16.0%
• Energy to protein ratio: higher by 4.4%
• Protein to energy ratio: lower by 4.1%.

These results can be used as a feasible approach to analysis of the overall quality status of population nutrition.

 

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