[The present health and nutritional status of the pediatric population in the area of Orava]

Abstract

410 children aged 11-14 years and 311 adolescents aged 15-18 years were examined in the region Orava. This region was selected for the survey because of high unemployment rates. The survey was focused on changes in nutritional indices in children and adolescents, as a consequence of changed food consumption patterns, caused by increased food prices and global socio-economic regression. Biochemical markers showed negative trends in serum lipid levels, especially a high prevalence of hypercholesterolaemia as well as that of vitamin C hyposaturation. This finding is related to impaired structure of consumed food, intake of food items of lower nutritional value, low intakes of fruit and vegetables, as shown by the analysis of dietary data.