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Additional zinc delivered in a liquid supplement, but not a fortified porridge, increased fat‐free mass accrual in young Peruvian children with mild‐to‐moderate stunting
Author(s) -
Arsenault Joanne E.,
Romaña Daniel López,
Penny Mary E.,
Van Loan Marta D.,
Brown Kenneth H.
Publication year - 2007
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.21.5.a171-c
Subject(s) - zinc , medicine , fortification , zoology , population , zinc deficiency (plant disorder) , standard score , micronutrient , fat free mass , pediatrics , food science , chemistry , body mass index , fat mass , environmental health , mathematics , biology , organic chemistry , statistics , pathology
The exact mechanism whereby zinc influences growth is unknown, although it has been postulated that zinc may stimulate appetite or enhance fat‐free mass (FFM) accrual directly. We compared energy intake, using weighed food records, and body composition, using deuterium dilution, of 6–8 mo old Peruvian children with initial length‐for‐age Z‐score (LAZ) < −0.5 randomly assigned to receive daily for 6 mo: 3 mg/d zinc in a liquid supplement; 3 mg/d of zinc in a fortified porridge; or no extra zinc in either the supplement or porridge. There were no group‐wise differences in changes in energy intake at 2–3 mo or body composition at 6 mo. However, children with an initial LAZ < −1.1 receiving zinc as a liquid supplement had a mean increase in FFM that was 0.42 kg greater than children receiving the zinc‐fortified porridge or no additional zinc (p< 0.05). In conclusion, 3 mg/d of supplemental zinc resulted in a greater increase in FFM only among those with initial mild‐to‐moderate stunting. While this overall population may not have been zinc deficient, children with low LAZ may have benefited more from zinc supplementation with respect to FFM accrual due to an initial lower zinc status. The provision of zinc in a fortified porridge had no effects on energy intake or FFM. Further research is needed on the optimal level of zinc fortification that will result in improved health outcomes. Supported by Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation