Abstract: The beneficial influence of many foodstuffs and beverages including fruits, vegetables, tea, red wine, coffee, and cacao on human health has been recently recognized to originate from the chain-breaking antioxidant activity of natural polyphenols, significant constituent of the above products. Therefore antioxidants have received increasing attention within biological, medical, nutritional, and agrochemical fields and resulted in the requirement of simple, convenient, and reliable antioxidant capacity determination methods. Many methods which differ from each other in terms of reaction mechanisms, oxidant and target/probe species, reaction conditions, and expression of results have been developed and tested in the literature. In this review, the methods most widely used for the determination of antioxidant capacity are evaluated, presenting the general principals, recent applications, and their strengths and limitations. Conclusion: In this review, numerous antioxidant capacity methods, which differ from each other in terms of reaction mechanisms, oxidant and target/probe species, reaction conditions, and expression of results. It is important that analysis conditions, substrate, and concentration of antioxidants should simulate real food or biological systems. The total antioxidant capacity value should include assays applicable to both lipophilic and hydrophilic antioxidants and regards the similarity and differences of both HAT and ET. The assays including various ROS/RNS such as superoxide anion, hydroxyl radical, hydrogen peroxide, singlet oxygen, peroxynitrite, nitric oxide, nitric dioxide have to be designed to comprehensively evaluate the antioxidant capacity of a sample.

INTRODUCTION:The Government of Mongolia pays significant attention to reduce noncommunicable diseases and theirrisk factors. WHO Global strategy to reduce salt intake recommended to Member States to assessknowledge, attitude and practice (KAP) of the population on salt intake.GOAL:To determine KAP on salt intake was explored in relation to geographical location and its challenges.MATERIALS AND METHODS:This is a cross-sectional study that included 1,040 people with age range 25 - 64 years. The participantswere randomly selected from the four economic regions - western, khangai, central and eastern regions,and Ulaanbaatar city of Mongolia. The ethical aspect of the study was reviewed and approved at ameeting of the Ethics Review Committee in the medical sector at the Ministry of health, Mongolia onJuly 8, 2012 by Resolution number 14.RESULTS:The population with no knowledge of high salt content foods was 23.5% in the western region, 18.9%was in the khangai region, 16.2% was in the central region, 22.0% was in the eastern region, and15.0% was in Ulaanbaatar (ð<0.000). The participants that think a high salt diet and foods do not causehealth problems were higher in the western region 15.8%, and participants who do not know whether itcauses health problems were higher in the eastern region 11.2% compared to other regions (p<0.001).The study population from the central region and males from eastern region did not aware the negativeconsequences of salty meal/foods towards developing stomach cancer (p<0.001).Percentage of population who drink salty tea was 84.4% in the western region, 90.7% were in thekhangai region, 23.4% were in the central region, and 11.0% were in the eastern region, and 44.8%were in Ulaanbaatar (p<0.000).CONCLUSION:Salt reduction intervention especially interventions on changing attitude should be conducted aftertaking account the specific differences of the local areas.

Background: Disorders in the human body due to selenium defi ciency are associated with geographiclocation or environment, especially selenium concentrations in water and in soil. Selenium concentrationsin the blood of populations around the world, varies greatly. To date, no research has been conducted onaverage serum selenium level of adult Mongolians.Goal. To conduct a comparative study on the average serum selenium level of adult Mongolians bygeographic regions.Materials and Methods. In this study were participated 2339 healthy subjects randomly selectedfrom sampling units based on 4 geographical regions of Mongolia. For the study were used thequestionnaire and biochemical methods. Blood samples were collected from all subjects and serumselenium concentration was measured by the thermo fi sher scientifi c analyzer using atomic absorptionspectrophotometer method.Result: The mean serum selenium level in adult Mongolians was 0.78 μmol/l. A comparative analysisshowed a statistically signifi cant difference (ð<0.0001) in the mean serum selenium level of adultMongolians living in different geographic regions. In particular, the mean serum selenium level ofadult Mongolians was 0.85 μmol/l in the Altai Mountain, 0.57 μmol/l in Khangai mountain, 1.0 μmol/l inGobi, 0.71 μmol/l in Dornod steppe regions and thus indicator was 0.75 μmol/l among adult citizens ofUlaanbaatar. Majority of residents living in Khangai mountain and Dornod steppe regions were at a riskof selenium defi ciency.Conclusions:1. Comparative analysis of the average serum selenium level of adult Mongolians by region showedthat the Gobi region has highest (1.0 μìîë/ë) and Khangai region has the lowest (0.57 μìîë/ë).2. Study fi ndings showed that 7 – 8 individuals out of 10 residents of Dornod steppe and Khangairegions were at the risk of selenium defi ciency.

IntroductionThe imported food products are more than 60 percent of total food consumption of Mongolia. Thelead residue in food products causes chronic and acute poisoning to the human health when exceedsmaximum residues limits, and human exposure and significant public health problems in many partsof the world.GoalTo assess lead residues and health risk of some commonly consumed imported food productsamong Mongolian population.Objectives:1. To determine consumption of some imported food products of Mongolian population;2. To investigate lead residue in some commonly consumed imported food products;3. To assess potential health risk related lead residue.Materials and MethodsThe research used analytic study of cross-sectional study design. Randomly selected 1290 people’simports food consumption was analyzed by questionnaire and body weight measurements. Tooksamples from 145 import products, identified lead residue with Academy of Sciences Soil ResearchLaboratory`s, ASS (USA, 2002) equipment.Results60.7% of imported food samples were lead residues exceeded to Maximum Residues Limits, suchus mean lead residues in meat product were 1.55 mg/kg, in milk product 1.22 mg/kg, in cerealproducts 1.15 mg/kg, in vegetables 1.57 mg/kg, in fruit and fruit juice 1.03 mg/kg, in alcohols drink1.31 mg/kg, and in tea 1.93 mg/kg (p=0.001). Estimated Provisional Tolerable Weekly Intake (PTWI)of lead exposure for survey responses was 0.079mg/kg body weight.Conclusions:1. 60.7% of imported food samples were lead residues exceeded to Maximum Residues Limits,such us mean lead residues in meat product, milk products, fruits and vegetables.2. Imported vegetables (54.0%), cereal 8.4% products (15.5%), fruit and fruit juice (11.8%), andmilk products (8.4%) is main contributing to lead residues in imported food.3. Estimated Provisional Tolerable Weekly Intake (PTWI) of lead exposure for survey responseswas 0.079mg/kg body weight, which is 3.2 times higher than toxicological guidance (PTWI 0.025mg/kg per 1 kg human body weight) and the high health risk level.

IntroductionThe trace elements selenium is a constituent of the antioxidant enzyme glutathione peroxidase. Becauseit boosts the body’s antioxidant capacity, selenium is thought to have some ability to control cell damagethat may lead to cancer. Selenium low status has been linked to increased risk of various diseases, suchas cancer and heart disease.GoalInvestigate serum selenium level of adult mongolians and conduct age and gender coparartive analysisof the serum selenium content.Materials and MethodsCross sectional study was performed among the 2339 apparently healthy Mongolians of both gendersaged ≥18 years. In the study were used questionnaire and biochemical methods. Blood samples werecollected from all subjects and serum selenium concentration was measured by atomic absorptionspectrophotometry method using thermo fisher scientific analyzer.ResultsThe mean and confidence interval of serum selenium level in adult Mongolians was 0.78 μmol/l (95%CI0.77-0.79) and there was no significant difference between genders. Thus the mean was 0.77 μmol/l(95%CI 0.76-0.80) among women and in men it was 0.78 μmol/l (95%CI 0.76-0.80). Data analysisrevealed that older age group individuals were at risk of lowered serum selenium level. In particular,the oldest age group of over 60 years (females: 0.74 μmol/l, 95%CI 0.70-0.77; males: 0.68 μmol/l,95%CI 0.64-0.71). The difference in selenium status between age groups was statistically significant inboth sexes. The overall prevalence of serum selenium concentrations indicative risk of deficiency was59.7%, with no significant differences in the prevalence by genders. Survey findings revealed that riskof selenium deficiency had statistically significant difference between age groups among the surveyedmen.Conclusion: The mean value of serum selenium in adult Mongolians was 0.78 μmol/l and there was nosignificant difference between genders.

Background : Overweight and obesity are conditions of over nutrition resulting from consumption of more calories than the body requires leading to excess body fat accumulation. The prevalence of both overweight and obesity is increasing globally in all age groups in high, middle, and low-income countries and is largely attributed to the “nutrition transition” with a shift from traditional diets to readily available and inexpensive, low-nutrient unhealthy foods high in energy [1].
The move away from traditional to “junk” foods often occurs at the same time as the move of populations away from daily physical activity and increase in sedentary activities such as time spent in front of a phone, computer, or television, furthering increasing the risk of becoming overweight. People who are overweight or obese are at higher risk for serious health problems including hypertension, heart disease, stroke, diabetes, some cancers, and osteoarthritis. The increase in overweight and obesity is accompanied by a dramatic increase in prevalence of above mentioned chronic conditions in the worldwide. While the long-term repercussions of overweight and obesity are severe, they are largely preventable and treatable through healthy diets and healthy lifestyle behaviors [2]. Materials and Methods: The fifth National nutrition survey (NNSV) was implemented in 21 provinces (aimags) in 4 socio-economic regions (Central, Eastern, Khangai, and Western) and the capital city of Ulaanbaatar. Given the regional differences in dietary patterns and nutrition status, target populations were stratified into 5 strata based on 4 regions and Ulaanbaatar with equal samples drawn from each stratum using a cluster-randomized sampling design. In total, 1750 school children data on demographic and dietary information collected by interview methods and anthropometric measurement results were used in this study. Ethical considerations: The survey protocol was discussed at the Scientific Committee of the Public Health Institute (recently named by National Center for Public Health) and granted by order of director of Scientific committee of PHI on 28th June, 2016. Ethical approval for conducting the NNS V was obtained from the Medical Ethics Committee under the Ministry of Health of Mongolia on July 7, 2016. Participation in the survey was voluntary, oral and written informed consent were obtained from adult caregivers of each children. Results: Consumption of unhealthy or junk (high-calorie, low-nutrient) foods in the past week was nearly universal (99.0%) among school children 6-11 years of age. Over half of children (51.4%) consumed junk foods at least once per week and 45.7% consumed junk foods a few times a week. Consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages was high with 80.9% of children consuming these at least once in the past week. Overall consumption of fried foods was lower than consumption of junk foods or sugar-sweetened beverages with 22.7% of children not consuming any fried foods in the past week and only 8.5% of children consuming fried foods a few times per week. Consumption of sweet foods was high with nearly all children having consumed sweet foods in the past week, 45.9% of children 6-11 years having consumed sweet foods a few times per week.
The prevalence of overweight (BMI > +1 SD) was 22.2% and prevalence of obesity (BMI > +2 SD) was 6.4%. Overweight prevalence was higher in boys (26.6%) compared to girls (17.8%) and in urban (23.9%) compared to rural (17.6%) areas with the highest prevalence in Ulaanbaatar (25.6%) compared to other regions. Children 6 years old (26.1%) and 7 years old (25.6%) had a higher prevalence of overweight than older children. Conclusion
1. Consumption of unhealthy foods and drinks is common to 6-11 year olds group, with almost all children (99.2%) consuming any type of unhealthy foods and drinks at least once per week, in particular, 8 out of 10 children were found consuming sugary drinks and/or deep fried food.
2. The consumption of unhealthy foods was not differing by child’s sex, there were revealed significant differences between living area and regions. Proportion of the school children 6-11 years of age was relatively higher in Ulaanbaatar city and urban settings.
3. The prevalence of overweight and obesity in school children aged 6-11years sharply increased from 2010 NNS IV level and reached 22.2% and 6.4%, respectively. Among children with obesity consumption of any unhealthy foods and sugary drinks were 1.4–1.9 times higher than nonobese children, respectively.

Background: Iron is an essential mineral needed for physical and cognitive development with iron needs greatest during pregnancy, infancy, childhood, and adolescence. Iron is vital throughout the lifespan as it is a component of haemoglobin, the protein responsible for transporting oxygen from the lungs to body cells for energy production. Iron deficiency results from a depletion of body iron stores due to increased iron needs, inadequate dietary iron intake, reduced iron absorption, or loss of iron from infections caused by malaria, hookworms, and other intestinal parasites. In advanced stages, iron deficiency leads to iron deficiency anaemia, a condition of low red blood cells and reduced oxygen-carrying capacity. Goal: This study aimed to determine body iron stores in Mongolian children aged 6-59 months, and estimate prevalence of iron deficiency among of studied children. Materials and Methods: In this study were used materials that collected during the fifth national nutrition survey conducted in 21 provinces of 4 economic regions and 8 districts of Ulaanbaatar city of Mongolia. The fifth national nutrition survey was household based survey; therefore sampling unit was household with 5 year-old child. We had used demographic information collected by interview methods and laboratory examination results on ferritin, soluble transferrin (sTfR), C reactive protein (CRP) and α1-acid glycoprotein (AFP) in serum samples collected from 6 to 59 months old children, pregnant women and 15–49 year-old men living in child’s households. Serum Ferritin and soluble transferrin (sTfR) were used as a biomarker for iron store and iron deficiency and C reactive protein (CRP) and AFG were used as indicators for acute and chronic infection. The determination of iron status is challenging when concomitant infection and inflammation are present because of confounding effects of the acute-phase response on the interpretation of most iron indicators. Effects of C reactive protein (CRP) and AGP concentrations on estimates of ID according to serum ferritin (SF) and soluble transferrin receptor (sTfR) were considered in the study. Ethical considerations : The survey protocol was discussed at the scientific committee of the Public health institute and approved by director of scientific committee of PHI on June 28, 2016. Ethical approval for conducting the survey, including obtaining biological samples was obtained from the Medical ethics committee under the Ministry of Health of Mongolia on July 7, 2016. Participation in the survey was voluntary, oral and written informed consent was obtained from each participants and adult caregivers of under 5 year-old children. Results: Biomarkers of iron status were adjusted with inflammation indicators and estimated iron deficiency (ID) and total body iron store in 1732 children 6-59 month-olds. The study findings showed that adjusted mean concentration of serum ferritin and soluble transferrin receptor was 33.7 µg/l and 8.8 mg/l in children age of 6-59 months, respectively. The calculated total body iron store by using adjusted SF and soluble transferrin receptor was 2.8 mg/kg among surveyed children. Iron deficiency was estimated by using 2 different biomarkers among selected population group. The prevalence of iron deficiency estimated by using SF was 20.7% in children 6-59 months. Iron deficiency in children defined by using serum soluble transferrin receptor was 27.7%. Conclusions
1. The average serum ferritin and soluble transferrin receptor concentrations was 33.7 µg/l and 8.8 mg/l in children age of 6-59 months, respectively. Total body iron store estimated by using SF and soluble transferrin was 2.8 mg/kg among surveyed children.
2. The prevalence of iron deficiency estimated by using SF and sTfR was 20.7% and 27.7% in children 6-59 months, respectively. According to the WHO recommendation, prevalence of iron deficiency among Mongolian children aged 6-59 months is classified as “prevalent”.
3. Overall proportion of children with low body iron store was 22.4%. The prevalence of iron depletion is relatively common in boys, young children aged 6–23 months, and rural children aged 6-59 months.