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Dietary habits associated with serum zinc and copper in 12‐36 month old children from low‐income families
Author(s) -
Schneider Julie M.,
Lönnerdal Bo,
ZidenbergCherr Sheri
Publication year - 2006
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.20.4.a627-d
Subject(s) - medicine , transferrin saturation , serum iron , population , zinc , transferrin , cross sectional study , zinc deficiency (plant disorder) , pregnancy , transferrin receptor , iron deficiency , environmental health , micronutrient , zoology , physiology , anemia , chemistry , biology , organic chemistry , genetics , pathology
The prevalence of marginal zinc (Zn) status in the United States is unknown. Crude global estimates rank Zn deficiency second to vitamin A deficiency, and above iron deficiency (ID) amongst causes of under‐nutrition. The objective of this study was to assess serum Zn and copper (Cu) status in a population at risk of ID (≥2 out of 3 abnormal values for ferritin, transferrin receptors, transferrin saturation). Children (12‐36 mo) were recruited from the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC) in 2 California counties (cross‐sectional, convenience sample). Linear regression was used to determine factors associated with serum Zn and Cu, controlling for age, sex and ethnicity. The prevalence of low serum Zn (<10.7 μM) was 42.8%. Mean serum Zn was not significantly different between anemic/non‐anemic, or ID/iron sufficient children. Factors negatively associated with serum Zn were child’s consumption of sweetened beverages and maternal pica during pregnancy, and child’s consumption of >15 g/day of meat was positively associated with serum Zn. Less than 1% of the children had low serum Cu (<14.2 μM). Factors positively associated with serum copper were current consumption of breast milk and consumption of >15 g/day of beans. The prevalence of low serum zinc concentration in our sample was high, and warrants consideration as a public health problem. Supported in part by grants from the USDAERS and FSNEP.