Dietary specificity in women engaged in intellectual work with low physical activity

Objective. Unbalanced nutrition of women of different age is one of the risk factors for developing chronic non-infectious diseases at early working age. The aim of the work was to study the nutrition of working-age women living in a large industrial centre, whose work patterns are characterized by a low level of physical activity. Patients and methods. A retrospective cross-sectional study included 282 women with low physical activity: group 1 – 18–39-year-olds (n = 176), group 2 – 40 years and older (n = 108). The computer program «Analysis of the state of human nutrition» (version 1.2, Institute of Nutrition RAMS 2003–2005) assessed the actual nutrition. Inter-group comparison of parameters was performed using the Mann–Whitney (U) test with the Benjamini–Hochberg correction. Results. The calorific value of the diets exceeded the norms (in group 1 by 1.1 times, in group 2 by 1.6 times) due to consumption of proteins and fats. Cholesterol intake was reduced in both groups (by 0.6–0.9 times, respectively). The proportions of dietary mono- and disaccharides exceeded the norm by 2 and more times in both groups, deficiency of dietary fiber was found in group 1 – 26.5%, in group 2 – 45% of normal. In both groups, a higher intake of sodium (by 2–3.5 times) and phosphorus (by 1.4–2 times) was found. Group 1 had a lower intake of Ca (by 1.4 times), Mg (by 1.6 times), vitamins B1 (by 1.8 times), B2 (by 1.5 times) and PP (by 1.8 times). In group 2, mineral and vitamin intake was significantly higher but insufficient as well. Conclusion. Women's diets are imbalanced toward the excess of the total caloric intake, the amounts of consumed proteins and fats, sodium, potassium, phosphorus; insufficient intake of dietary fiber, Ca, Fe, and some vitamins, which is a serious risk factor for the development of chronic non-infectious diseases and should be taken into account in treatment and prevention programmes implemented at younger ages.