title: Minerals and Trace Elements Intakes and Food Consumption Patterns of Young Children Living in Rural Areas of Tibet Autonomous Region, P.R. China: A Cross-Sectional Survey.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Several studies revealed clinical signs of stunting and rickets among rural populations of Tibet Autonomous Region (T.A.R.), and especially amid children. Further, these populations are affected by a bone disease named Kashin-Beck disease (KBD). However, little is known about the dietary status of this population. This survey aimed to assess the usual intakes of young Tibetan children living in rural areas around Lhasa for energy, water, and ten minerals and trace elements (Na, K, Ca, P, Mg, Fe, Zn, Cu, Mn, and Se) involved in bone metabolism.
  
  
  METHODS
  A cross-sectional survey was designed. Totally, 250 pre-school children aged 3-5 years living in rural areas were enrolled. The 24-h food recall method was used to collect the intakes for two days, during two different seasons (September 2012 and April 2013). Because Tibetan foods are mainly derived from local agriculture and artisanal production, a combination of food composition tables was compiled, including specific and local food composition data.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The Chinese dietary recommended intakes are not met for most of the elements investigated. Intake of sodium is much too high, while usual intakes are too low for K, Ca, Zn, Cu, and Se. Bioavailability of Ca, Fe, and Zn may be of concern due to the high phytic acid content in the diet.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These nutrient imbalances may impact growth and bone metabolism of young Tibetan children. The advantages of the implementation of food diversification programs are discussed as well as the relevance of supplements distribution.
authors.affiliation: Analytical chemistry, Gembloux Agro Bio Tech-University of Liege, Passage des Deportes, 2, B-5030 Gembloux, Belgium. michael.dermience@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Dermience
authors.affiliation: Kashin-Beck Disease Fund Asbl-Vzw, Rue de l'Aunee, 6, B-6953 Forrieres, Belgium. fmathieu1@yahoo.fr.
authors.forename: Françoise
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Mathieu
authors.affiliation: China National Center for Food Safety Risk Assessment, Panjiayuan Nanli, 7, Chaoyang District, Beijing 100021, China. lixw@cfsa.net.cn.
authors.forename: Xiao Wei
authors.initials: XW
authors.lastname: Li
authors.affiliation: School of Population Health, University of Auckland, Auckland 1142, New Zealand. Stefanie.Vandevijvere@wiv-isp.be.
authors.forename: Stefanie
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Vandevijvere
authors.affiliation: Kashin-Beck Disease Fund Asbl-Vzw, Rue de l'Aunee, 6, B-6953 Forrieres, Belgium. william.claus@kbdfund.org.
authors.forename: William
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Claus
authors.affiliation: SBIM and Institut de Recherche Interdisciplinaire en Biologie Humaine et Moleculaire, Free University of Brussels, route de Lennik, 808, B-1070 Brussels, Belgium. vdemaert@ulb.ac.be.
authors.forename: Viviane
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: De Maertelaer
authors.affiliation: CIRIHA, Haute Ecole Lucia de Brouckere, Avenue Emile Gryzon, 1, B-1070 Brussels, Belgium. gdufourny.ciriha@heldb.be.
authors.forename: Ghislaine
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Dufourny
authors.affiliation: Center for Disease Control and Prevention-North Lin Kuo Road 21, Lhasa 850000, China. info@kbdfund.org.
authors.forename: Li
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Bin
authors.affiliation: Kashin-Beck Disease Foundation, Gakyiling Hotel, Tuanjie Xincun, Sera Road, Lhasa 850000, China. adminkbdftib@hotmail.com.
authors.forename: Dechen
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Yangzom
authors.affiliation: Analytical chemistry, Gembloux Agro Bio Tech-University of Liege, Passage des Deportes, 2, B-5030 Gembloux, Belgium. Georges.Lognay@ulg.ac.be.
authors.forename: Georges
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Lognay
keywords: 24-h food recall; Kashin-Beck disease; Tibet Autonomous Region; cross-sectional survey; minerals; preschool children; trace elements; usual intakes