[Zinc supplementation may recover taste for salt meals].
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the effect of zinc on the appetite for salt foods in children aged 8 months to 5 years.


METHODS
Double-blind, placebo-controlled study. Two groups of 20 children refusing to eat salt foods were followed during 6 months. The children in the first group received zinc chelate 1 mg/kg daily for 3 months. The second group received a placebo solution. The two groups were similar in terms of age, sex, weight, duration of breastfeeding, age at weaning, biochemical and hematological data. The response of children to treatment was informed by their mothers.


RESULTS
17/20 (85%) of the children receiving zinc chelate and 10/20 (50%) of the children receiving placebo improved their appetite for salt foods. The difference was statistically significant (p < 0.05, chi-square test).


CONCLUSIONS
Zinc supplementation may improve the acceptance of salt foods by children.
Universidade de Brasília (UNB), Brasília, DF, Brazil. dicampos@terra.com.br
Dioclécio
D
Campos
Magno C
MC
Veras Neto
Valeriano L
VL
Silva Filho
Mônica F
MF
Leite
Michele B S
MB
Holanda
Nara F
NF
Cunha
D001066:Appetite / Q000187:drug effects*; D002675:Child, Preschool; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D017673:Sodium Chloride, Dietary; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D015032:Zinc / Q000008:administration & dosage*
D017673:Sodium Chloride, Dietary; D015032:Zinc