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Dietary zinc intake of vegetarian and nonvegetarian patients with anorexia nervosa
Author(s) -
Bakan Rita,
Birmingham Carl L.,
Aeberhardt Laurel,
Coldner Elliot M.
Publication year - 1993
Publication title -
international journal of eating disorders
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.785
H-Index - 138
eISSN - 1098-108X
pISSN - 0276-3478
DOI - 10.1002/1098-108x(199303)13:2<229::aid-eat2260130211>3.0.co;2-1
Subject(s) - anorexia nervosa , zinc deficiency (plant disorder) , calorie , anorexia , appetite , endocrinology , medicine , zinc , eating disorders , amenorrhea , physiology , psychiatry , micronutrient , chemistry , biology , pregnancy , organic chemistry , pathology , genetics
Anorexia nervosa (AN) and zinc deficiency, found most frequently in young females, have a number of symptoms in common. These include weight loss, alterations in taste and appetite, depression, and amenorrhea. Approximately half of anorexia nervosa patients (ANs) are vegetarian (VANs), a practice that may increase their risk for zinc deficiency. This study compared the dietary intake of zinc and related nutrients in 9 outpatient VANs with that of 11 outpatient nonvegetarian patients with anorexia nervosa (NVANs). VANs reported significantly lower (p < .05) dietary intakes of zinc, fat, and protein, and a significantly higher (p < .05) intake of calories from carbohydrates than NVANs. There were no significant differences between the groups in dietary intake of calories, calcium, copper, iron, or magnesium. These findings indicate that zinc intake should be routinely assessed in VANs and that zinc supplementation of their diets may be indicated. © 1993 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.