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Nutritional Status for less‐explored micronutrients in underprivileged Guatemalan preschool children: Vitamins D
Author(s) -
Hernández Liza,
Solomons Noel W.,
Romero-Abal María-Eugenia,
María Gamero Flor,
Armas Laura,
Bonorden Melissa J.L.,
Herreid Richard M.
Publication year - 2012
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.26.1_supplement.1030.1
Subject(s) - micronutrient , medicine , environmental health , demography , rural area , vitamin , vitamin d and neurology , food frequency questionnaire , public health , pediatrics , zoology , biology , endocrinology , pathology , nursing , sociology
Background Whereas iron, vitamin A, iodine, zinc and folate are prominent on the public health nutrition agenda, vitamin D has been lower on the interest horizon. Particular dietary or environmental characteristics of Guatemala may predispose to insufficient or deficient nutrient status. Objective To assess vit D status in a convenience sample of preschoolers in disadvantaged urban and rural communities receiving subsidized meals. Methods 104 serum samples were obtained from boys and girls meals in 3 sites in the Central Highlands of Guatemala, 47 from 2 urban (U) centers and 57 from a rural (R) center. Serum 25(OH)D was measured on a Liaison instrument (DiaSorin, Inc., Stillwater, MN) using a chemiluminescent assay in Omaha, Nebraska. Respective cutoff criteria for deficient and insufficient for 25(OH)D were <20 and 20–30 ng/mL. The contribution of dietary vit D from center menus was estimated. Results Overall mean 25(OH)D concentration (ng/mL) was 26±6, 27±6 (U) and 25±7 (R) (p>0.05). Globally, 20.2% had deficient values and 56.7% had insufficient values. Deficiency rates by setting were 12.7% (U) and 26.0% (R), and insufficiency rates, 59.6% (U) and 54.4% (R). The 1 or 2 meals offered by the centers provided averages of 0.12–0.90 μg vit D/d. Conclusion Sub‐adequate vit D status is a common feature of preschoolers in day‐care center populations, without geographic distinction, related in part to low dietary intakes.