Nutritional assessment methods for zinc supplementation in prepubertal non-zinc-deficient children.
BACKGROUND
Zinc is an essential nutrient that is required for numerous metabolic functions, and zinc deficiency results in growth retardation, cell-mediated immune dysfunction, and cognitive impairment.


OBJECTIVE
This study evaluated nutritional assessment methods for zinc supplementation in prepubertal non-zinc-deficient children.


METHODS
We performed a randomised, controlled, triple-blind study. The children were divided into a control group (10% sorbitol, n=31) and an experimental group (10 mg Zn/day, n=31) for 3 months. Anthropometric and dietary assessments as well as bioelectrical measurements were performed in all children.


RESULTS
Our study showed (1) an increased body mass index for age and an increased phase angle in the experimental group; (2) a positive correlation between nutritional assessment parameters in both groups; (3) increased soft tissue, and mainly fat-free mass, in the body composition of the experimental group, as determined using bioelectrical impedance vector analysis; (4) increased consumption of all nutrients, including zinc, in the experimental group; and (5) an increased serum zinc concentration in both groups (p<0.0001).


CONCLUSIONS
Given that a reference for body composition analysis does not exist for intervention studies, longitudinal studies are needed to investigate vector migration during zinc supplementation. These results reinforce the importance of employing multiple techniques to assess the nutritional status of populations.
Postgraduate Program in Health Sciences, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Natal, Brazil.
Márcia Marília Gomes Dantas
MM
Lopes
Postgraduate Program in Health Sciences, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Natal, Brazil.
Naira Josele Neves
NJ
de Brito
Postgraduate Program in Health Sciences, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Natal, Brazil.
Érika Dantas
ÉD
de Medeiros Rocha
Department of Statistics, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Natal, Brazil.
Mardone Cavalcante
MC
França
Department of Clinical and Toxicological Analyses, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Natal, Brazil.
Maria das Graças
Md
de Almeida
Department of Internal Medicine, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Natal, Brazil; jbn@pq.cnpq.br.
José
J
Brandão-Neto
bioelectrical impedance vector analysis; children; dietary assessment; phase angle; zinc supplementation