title: Zinc nutritional status in obese children and adolescents.
abstract: Studies in animals and humans have corroborated that zinc (Zn) metabolism is altered in obesity. The present work intends to evaluate the Zn nutritional status in obese children and adolescents by the determination of some biochemical parameters and analyses of the diets. The investigation was carried out in a group of obese children and adolescents (n = 23) and compared to a control group (n = 21), both between 7 and 14 yr of age. A software analyzed diet information from 3-d food records. Body composition was evaluated by body mass index, bioelectrical impedance, and skinfold measurements. Zinc nutritional status was evaluated by Zn determination in plasma, erythrocyte, and 24-h urine, by atomic absorption spectrophotometry (lambda = 213.9 nm). Diets consumed by both groups had marginal concentrations of zinc. Zinc concentrations in plasma and erythrocytes were significantly lower in the obese group. Urinary zinc excretion was significantly higher in the same group. The results allowed one to conclude that zinc nutritional status in obese individuals is altered.
authors: Department of Food Science and Experimental Nutrition, School of Pharmacy, University of São Paulo, Brazil.
authors: Dilina do Nascimento
authors: DN
authors: Marreiro
authors: Mauro
authors: M
authors: Fisberg
authors: Silvia Maria Franciscato
authors: SM
authors: Cozzolino
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D015992:Body Mass Index; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002648:Child; D002664:Child Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; D004032:Diet; D004912:Erythrocytes / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D015596:Nutrition Assessment; D009765:Obesity / Q000378:metabolism*; D012016:Reference Values; D012885:Skinfold Thickness; D015032:Zinc / Q000097:blood* / Q000652:urine*
chemical_list: D015032:Zinc