[Medical, social, and economic conditionality of the population's microelement status in the context of the obesity epidemic].

INTRODUCTION

The obesity epidemic is a complex medical and social problem. A decrease in the purchasing power of the population provokes an increase in the consumption of cheap ultra-processed food. This leads to the paradox of «hidden hunger», when excessive caloric intake is combined with a pronounced deficiency of micronutrients.

AIM: To assess the medical, social, and economic conditionality of the population's microelement status in the context of the growing obesity epidemic.

MATERIALS AND

METHODS

The empirical base consisted of federal statistics data (Rosstat), the results of regional epidemiological monitoring (Tula region), and an array of laboratory S-values for 2019-2022. The relationship between economic markers and microelement status was assessed using Spearman's rank correlation coefficient.

RESULTS

The analysis showed a steady decrease in the population's provision with selenium, zinc, and iron. Spearman's correlation analysis revealed a strong positive relationship between income levels and copper consumption (0.8…1.0) and a negative dependence for toxicants. The growth of inflationary pressure and the increase in the share of food expenses to 36.6% force vulnerable social groups to switch to cheap energy sources to the detriment of micronutrient density.

DISCUSSION: The social gradient of obesity dictates the need to revise preventive approaches. Economic pressure acts as the primary driver of nutritional imbalance.

STUDY LIMITATIONS: the work relies on an indirect assessment of patients' incomes and has a risk of sample selection bias, while the short time interval of observations gives the identified correlations an exploratory nature.

CONCLUSION

The integration of microelement screening into the state monitoring system will allow detecting hidden nutritional deficiencies at early stages. Preventive work should be based on targeted support for socially vulnerable groups.