COMPARATIVE STUDY OF THE EFFECT OF EATING FAST FOOD ON BLOOD GLUCOSE OF FOREIGN STUDENTS

Abstract

The article is devoted to the study of rational nutrition of students of the foreign faculty and the effect of harmful fast food on carbohydrate metabolism. By examining glucose in human blood, it is possible to identify a predisposition to carbohydrate metabolism disorders. Carbohydrate metabolism disorders and diseases associated with them are a serious problem of modern society. The most well-known disease associated with carbohydrate metabolism disorders is diabetes mellitus.

The purpose of the study was a comparative analysis of the diet of foreign students from India of the 1st and 3rd years of the Marat Ospanov West Kazakhstan Medical University and its effect on blood glucose levels. A survey was conducted among volunteer students of the foreign faculty. Glucose levels in capillary blood were measured using a Farmaktiv Codefree glucometer. 50 1st-year students and 50 3rd-year students of the international medical faculty took part in the study as subjects. As a result of the survey, it was revealed that most students neglect their nutrition. The blood test results showed a relatively elevated blood glucose level in 3rd-year students compared to 1st-year students. According to the study, no carbohydrate metabolism disorders were detected in the subjects; all the presented indicators are within the normal range. However, it is worth noting that the unbalanced diet of senior students over several years has led to a change in glucose levels towards an increase. At the same time, the carbohydrate metabolism of 1st-year students has not yet undergone significant changes. Thus, a connection was established between nutritional disorders and an increase in blood glucose levels among students. It is necessary to monitor blood glucose levels and carefully monitor your health, wisely select high-quality nutrition.

Keywords: glucose; fast food; nutrition; students; carbohydrate metabolism.

Introduction. One of the main problems of humanity at present is the state of health. Proper and balanced nutrition is the basis of human health and longevity.

In the modern world, the topic of healthy nutrition is more relevant than ever. Workload, study, fast pace of life, all this affects the quality of nutrition. To solve this problem, people buy fast food that does not need to be cooked for a long time. It is worth noting that such food does not benefit the body, because it is not balanced, healthy, contains many substances harmful to the human body.

According to the results of many studies, it has been proven that fast food is unhealthy food. Thus, with the systematic consumption of this product, significant disturbances in the functioning of human organs and organ systems were revealed, such as diseases of the cardiovascular system, gastrointestinal tract, obesity, etc.

The composition of fast food, as well as its calorie content, underlies the occurrence of various disorders in the body. For example, a serving of French fries contains 3,000 calories and 217 g of fat, while the daily norm for a person is 2,000 – 2,500 kcal and 65 g of fat. In addition to fat, fast food contains a large amount of sugar, salt, and preserving agents [1]. One of the main problems of modern society is the annual increase in diabetes patients worldwide.

“The international research network NCD Risk Factor Collaboration (NCD-RisC), in collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO), conducted a global analysis of diabetes incidence from 1990 to 2022. The study was published [2] in The Lancet.

According to researchers, from 1990 to 2022, the proportion of the world's adult population suffering from diabetes increased from 7 % to 14 %, and their absolute number increased by 630 million and reached 828 million. At the same time, 59 % of people with diabetes aged 30 years and older, which is 445 million people (3.5 times more than in 1990), do not receive the necessary treatment. The lowest coverage of diabetes treatment was observed in low- and middle-income countries.

Of the 828 million adults with diabetes in 2022, more than a quarter (212 million) live in India, another 148 million in China, followed by the United States (42 million), Pakistan (36 million), Indonesia (25 million) and Brazil (22 million).

In Kazakhstan, the number of patients diagnosed with diabetes has increased 45 times over the past 24 years. If in 2000 only 10,742 patients were registered, then as of April 1, 2024, their number reached 496,210 people. By 2030, the number of patients with diabetes is expected to exceed 800 thousand people” [3].

Diabetes can also develop due to improper food, which contains a large amount of carbohydrates and fats. Fast food products contain a very high content of these substances. Carbohydrates obtained from such food are broken down in the small intestine to glucose (reducing sugar). After which, the blood enriched with glucose either enters the liver, where excess glucose turns into fat and is deposited, or glucose breaks down with the release of energy in the cells.

When sugar enters the blood, the pancreas secretes insulin, which in turn promotes the flow of glucose into all cells of the body. After eating this food, the body breaks down carbohydrates into sugar (glucose), which then enters the blood. Then the pancreas releases insulin, which promotes the transport of sugar to the cells.

After the consumption of glucose by the cells, another hormone of the pancreas - glucagon is secreted.

With the systematic consumption of fast food, frequent surges in sugar in a person's blood are possible. All this has a detrimental effect on the normal functioning of the pancreas, which can lead to type II diabetes or to a decrease in the sensitivity of the body's cells to the action of insulin.

Excess sugar affects the appearance of excess weight, which in turn affects the cardiovascular system. In addition to a large amount of carbohydrates, fast food contains a lot of trans fats, which increase the cholesterol level in the blood. High cholesterol in the blood increases the risk of stroke and cardiovascular diseases [4].

A healthy lifestyle for students has long been a topical issue for scientific research. Despite the significant number of works published by the authors, the problem cannot be completely solved [5].

Despite the presence of a large amount of information in the public domain, various types and methods of promoting a healthy lifestyle (HLS), awareness of the importance of its implementation, the lifestyle of modern youth is far from an ideal model. Of course, due to a number of circumstances (financial, heavy workload in academic subjects, etc.), it is not possible to demand that students fully comply with the principles of a healthy lifestyle. One of the principles of a healthy lifestyle that most students can follow is a balanced diet [6].

The relevance of this problem lies in the fact that physical health among students is getting worse and worse every year. All these statements are confirmed by medical examination of students [7].

In this regard, the purpose of our study was to analyze students’ nutrition problems.

The deterioration of students' health during their studies at a university is largely associated with the unfavorable impact of socio-hygienic environmental factors. It is known that upon entering a university, most students experience a change in their usual life stereotypes, a change in place of residence, a change in the conditions of independent work, a change in the regime and quality of food. At the same time, most students live in dormitories [8].

By examining glucose in human blood, it is possible to identify a predisposition to carbohydrate metabolism disorders. Carbohydrate metabolism disorders and diseases associated with them are a serious problem in modern society. The most well-known disease associated with carbohydrate metabolism disorders is diabetes mellitus.

The aim of the study was to compare the diet of foreign students from India, 1st and 3rd years of study at the Marat Ospanov West Kazakhstan Medical University, and its impact on blood glucose levels.

The subjects of the study were first-year students newly arrived from India, whose metabolism is presumably normal, and third-year students, whose metabolism may have undergone changes due to the lack of a balanced diet during 3 years of study abroad.

Methods. The study consists of two stages. At the first stage, a survey was conducted among students, in which 50 1st and 50 3rd year students of the international medical faculty took part.

The questionnaire included the following questions:

- How many times a day do you eat?

- How often do you eat fast food?

- Why do you eat fast food?

- Do you have breakfast every day before classes?

- How often do you skip breakfast (lunch)?

- What is the interval between meals?

- Do you like eating in the university cafeteria?

- Have your routine and diet changed much since moving to another country?

- Have you gained weight in the last 6 months?

- Do you live in a dormitory?

- What year are you in?

All respondents are international students living in a university dormitory.

Based on this survey, a blood glucose test (second stage) was conducted among international student volunteers who indicated in the questionnaire that they often eat unhealthy food and neglect cooking. The blood glucose test was conducted on a domestic Farmaktiv Codefree glucometer. Glucose level measurements in capillary blood with the Farmaktiv CodeFree glucometer correlate with glucose measurements in venous blood in laboratory conditions. This is shown by comparative studies of blood glucose levels conducted by three different methods: the domestic Farmaktiv CodeFree glucometer, the Architect c8000 laboratory device and test strips. These studies show a statistically significant correlation between Farmaktiv CodeFree glucometer measurements and laboratory results with tight data compliance over the entire range of blood glucose concentrations. An important fact in favor of the Farmaktiv CodeFree glucometer is that the full production line is located in the Republic of Kazakhstan, which makes the prices for the glucometer more affordable for the population. This also allows for independent blood glucose monitoring [9].

Capillary blood samples were collected for analysis using a glucometer. The study used an electromechanical Farmaktiv CodeFree glucometer, Farmaktiv CodeFree test strips, a lancing device, sterile lancets, and alcohol wipes. All samples were collected in the morning and on an empty stomach. Blood glucose levels were measured by pricking a finger and squeezing out a drop of blood, which was then applied to the test strip. Glucose measurements were taken using one glucometer. Each volunteer's blood glucose levels were measured using a glucometer three times. The average value was obtained as a result. All manipulations were carried out in accordance with infection control standards. All waste was disposed of in accordance with prescribed standards.

The study involved 50 first-year students and 50 third-year students volunteers of the International Medical Faculty.

Results. An analysis of the student survey data showed that the answers were distributed as follows: 40 % of students eat once a day. Most students eat fast food every day because it is tasty (10 %), takes little time (70 %), and is inexpensive (20 %). 95 % of students skip breakfast. The interval between meals can be up to 8 hours (45 %). 85 % of students noted that they do not like eating in the university canteen. 95 % of students responded that their regime and diet changed significantly upon arrival in another country. 70 % of respondents noted that they had gained weight over the past six months.

No less interesting were the results of the blood test, which showed a relatively elevated level of glucose in the blood of 3rd-year students compared to 1st-year students.

The results obtained during the study are presented in Table 1.

Table 1.

Average blood glucose levels of students

Using the WHO reference values ​​for glucose levels [10], presented in Table 2, we will analyze the obtained research results.

Table 2.

Reference glucose values (mmol/L) in healthy individuals at rest

Using the WHO reference values for glucose levels [10], presented in Table 2, we will analyze the obtained research results.

Discussion of the results. As the survey results showed, fast food is popular among students. Knowing about the harm of fast food, young people still prefer it. It is necessary to strengthen the work on maintaining a proper and balanced diet.

As a result of the study, it should be noted that the analysis of the students' diet made it possible to establish the fact that their nutrition is inadequate both in qualitative and quantitative terms. The study revealed that most students eat incorrectly, which can later lead to the development of various diseases.

Glucose entering the blood is transported to the liver, where glycogen is synthesized from it. Glycogen is a reserve of carbohydrates that can be broken down into glucose when there is a lack of sugar. Its amount in an adult can reach 150 – 200 grams. With a slow intake of sugar into the blood, glycogen is formed quickly, so an increase in blood glucose levels is not detected. When a large amount of easily broken down and quickly absorbed carbohydrates enters the body a rapid increase in glucose levels is observed in the blood. With frequent intake of large amounts of rapidly absorbed carbohydrates, alimentary, or food, hyperglycemia can develop. If the blood glucose level rises to 8.9–10.0 mmol/l, then glucose is excreted from the body with urine — glucosuria develops [11], which allows restoring the concentration of carbohydrates in the blood.

The results of the blood glucose level of almost all subjects before eating are within the normal range of 3.3–5.5 mmol/l. It can be concluded that in 3rd year students, the fasting glucose level before eating is slightly elevated, although it is within homeostatic limits, which indicates the absence of carbohydrate metabolism disorders. This can be explained by the fact that unbalanced nutrition of senior students over several years has led to a change in glucose levels towards an increase. At the same time, the carbohydrate metabolism of first-year students has not yet undergone significant changes.

When carbohydrates are consumed, the blood glucose level increases. An increase in glucose above the limit values indicates disorders that may indicate prediabetes or diabetes. During physical activity, the blood glucose level decreases in healthy people. In diseases associated with carbohydrate metabolism disorders, it is necessary to select the optimal physical activity and consult with specialists in order to avoid negative consequences. According to the study, no carbohydrate metabolism disorders were detected in the subjects, all the presented indicators are within the normal range. However, it is necessary to monitor the blood glucose level and carefully monitor your health, wisely select high-quality nutrition and regulate physical activity. Although there is a canteen in the university building, only a small percentage of foreign students prefer to eat in the canteen.

To improve the nutrition of students, it is planned to conduct information and educational work in order to improve the quality of nutrition.

It is planned to conduct a repeated measurement of blood glucose to assess the change in the quality of nutrition after the information and educational work and the introduction of healthy food into the diet of students of the foreign medical faculty.

References

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