scholarly journals Zinc deficiency is highly prevalent and spatially dependent over short distances in Ethiopia

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Adamu Belay ◽  
Dawd Gashu ◽  
Edward J. M. Joy ◽  
R. Murray Lark ◽  
Christopher Chagumaira ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Zinc Deficiency ◽  
Regional Scale ◽  
Reproductive Age ◽  
School Age Children ◽  
Zn Deficiency ◽  
Blood Collection ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
High Prevalence ◽  
Serum Zn ◽  
Zn Status

AbstractZinc (Zn) is an essential nutrient for human health. In Ethiopia, a high prevalence of Zn deficiency has been reported. To explore demographic variation and spatial dependencies in the Zn status of the Ethiopian population, we analyzed archived serum samples (n = 3373) from the 2015 Ethiopian National Micronutrient Survey (ENMS), a cross-sectional survey of young children, school-age children, women of reproductive age (WRA) and men conducted in all 9 regions and two city administration of Ethiopia. Serum Zn concentrations, measured using inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICPMS), were compared to thresholds based on age, sex, fasting status, and time of blood collection, after adjusting for inflammation status. Median serum Zn concentration of the population was 57.5 μg dL−1. Overall, it is estimated that 72% of the population was Zn deficient, with high prevalence in all demographic groups. Spatial statistical analysis showed that there was spatial dependence in Zn status of WRA at distances of up to 45 km. Zinc deficiency is spatially dependent over short distances. Although WRA in most areas are likely to be Zn deficient, prevalence of deficiency varies at regional scale and between rural and urban inhabitants, suggesting there is scope to explore drivers of this variation, prioritize nutritional interventions, and to design more representative surveillance programs.

scholarly journals Soil zinc, serum zinc, and the potential for agronomic biofortification to reduce human zinc deficiency in Ethiopia

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Hugo De Groote ◽  
Masresha Tessema ◽  
Samuel Gameda ◽  
Nilupa S. Gunaratna
Keyword(s):  
Nutritional Status ◽  
Zinc Deficiency ◽  
Crop Yields ◽  
Serum Zinc ◽  
Public Health Problem ◽  
Reproductive Age ◽  
Zn Deficiency ◽  
Serum Zn ◽  
Soil Zn ◽  
Child Nutritional Status

AbstractHuman zinc deficiency is a global public health problem. Many African soils are zinc deficient (ZnD), indicating fertilizers could increase crop yields and grain Zn levels, thereby increasing Zn in the food supply and alleviating human Zn deficiency. To analyze associations among soil Zn, human Zn deficiency, and child nutritional status, we combined the Ethiopian soil Zn map and the Ethiopian National Micronutrient Survey (ENMS). ENMS provides representative, georeferenced data on child nutritional status using anthropometry of children under five years old (CU5) and on human Zn deficiency among CU5 and women of reproductive age (WRA) using the recommended biomarker, serum Zn. ZnD soils mostly occur in lower altitudes, which are less populated and outside the main crop-producing areas. Serum Zn deficiencies were high, and correlated to soil Zn for children, but not for WRA. About 4 million Ethiopian CU5 are ZnD, and, of these, about 1.5 million live on low-Zn soils (< 2.5 mg/kg), while 0.3 million live on ZnD soils (< 1.5 mg/kg). Therefore, if Zn fertilizers are only applied on ZnD soils, their impact on child Zn deficiency may be limited. Greater impact is possible if Zn fertilizers are applied to soils with sufficient Zn for plant growth and if this results in increased grain Zn. Optimal soil Zn levels for plant and human nutrition may be different, and context-specific optimal levels for the latter must be determined to develop nutrition-sensitive fertilizer policies and recommendations.

scholarly journals Zinc status of northern Tasmanian adults

2015 ◽  
Vol 4 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jeffrey M. Beckett ◽  
Madeleine J. Ball
Keyword(s):  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Health Concern ◽  
Zn Deficiency ◽  
Dietary Intakes ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Serum Zn ◽  
Zinc Nutrition ◽  
Zn Status ◽  
Low Serum ◽  
Consultative Group

AbstractInformation regarding Zn status in the Australian population is very limited. Mild deficiencies in Zn have been associated with CVD, impaired immune function and poor healing. A cross-sectional study of 497 northern Tasmanian adults (24–82 years of age) was conducted to assess Zn status. Dietary intakes were assessed by FFQ and serum concentrations of Zn were evaluated using International Zinc Nutrition Consultative Group methodology. Mean Zn intakes were 12·6 (sd4·4) mg/d for men and 10·9 (sd3·6) mg/d for women. It was found that 52 % of men but only 9 % of women consumed less than the Australia/New Zealand estimated average requirement for Zn. Mean serum Zn was 13·0 (sd2·4) µmol/l in men and 13·0 (sd2·5) µmol/l in women. Overall, 15 % of men and 7 % of women had low serum Zn levels. Furthermore, low serum Zn was observed in 18 % of men 50 years or older and 30 % of men 70 years or older. The present results suggest that mild Zn deficiency may be prevalent in older Tasmanian adults, particularly men; and due to the importance of Zn in many areas of health, this could be of public health concern.

scholarly journals Folic acid awareness and intake among women in areas with high prevalence of neural tube defects in China: a cross-sectional study

2011 ◽  
Vol 14 (7) ◽  
pp. 1142-1147 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ziqian Zeng ◽  
Ping Yuan ◽  
Yanping Wang ◽  
Xi Ma ◽  
Jun Zhu
Keyword(s):  
Folic Acid ◽  
Neural Tube ◽  
Neural Tube Defects ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Reproductive Age ◽  
Intake Rate ◽  
Childbearing Age ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
High Prevalence

AbstractObjectiveTo measure folic acid awareness and intake rates among women of childbearing age in certain areas of China with a high prevalence of neural tube defects (NTD).DesignA cross-sectional survey was carried out utilising a nineteen-item questionnaire enquiring into individual women's knowledge of, attitude towards and practice of folic acid supplementation.SettingA total of 293 low-income counties in six provinces of China.SubjectsWomen aged 19–44 years from six provinces with a high prevalence of NTD recruited from June to August 2008.ResultsAmong 33 025 participants, 57 % had heard of folic acid but only 15 % knew all of the core information. The intake rate was 12 %; only 8 % took the recommended dose and only 4 % of non-pregnant women took folic acid. Some women did not take folic acid because they did not know that they should take it (49 %) or they had misconceptions about it (24 %). According to logistic regression analysis, rural residence was a risk factor for folic acid awareness. Ethnicity, educational level, average annual income per person and pregnancy were the influencing factors of folic acid awareness and folic acid intake.ConclusionsAlthough more than half of the respondents had heard of folic acid, the intake rate was still very low in areas with a high prevalence of NTD. Thus, more efforts are needed to increase folic acid awareness and intake among women of reproductive age in these areas.

scholarly journals Reproductive Pecan

HortScience ◽  
1990 ◽  
Vol 25 (11) ◽  
pp. 1392-1396 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hening Hu ◽  
Darrell Sparks
Keyword(s):  
Zinc Deficiency ◽  
Fruit Development ◽  
Zn Deficiency ◽  
Carya Illinoensis ◽  
Reproductive Growth ◽  
Zn Concentration ◽  
Fruit Abortion ◽  
Zn Status

The effect of Zn deficiency on reproductive growth of `Stuart' pecan [Carya illinoensis (Wangenh.) C. Koch] was studied. At the most severe Zn-deficiency level, shoots were rosetted and produced neither. staminate nor pistillate inflorescences. At less severe Zn-deficiency levels, catkin length and weight decreased as Zn concentration in the leaf decreased. The number of fruits produced per shoot was reduced by Zn deficiency. Even though fruit abortion was not affected by Zn status of the shoot, fruit death and drying in situ increased with increasing Zn deficiency. Zinc deficiency dramatically suppressed fruit development and resulted in delayed and staggered shuck dehiscence.

scholarly journals Poor zinc status is associated with increased risk of insulin resistance in Spanish children

2011 ◽  
Vol 107 (3) ◽  
pp. 398-404 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. M. Ortega ◽  
E. Rodríguez-Rodríguez ◽  
A. Aparicio ◽  
A. I. Jiménez ◽  
A. M. López-Sobaler ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Insulin Resistance ◽  
Inverse Correlation ◽  
The Body ◽  
Zn Deficiency ◽  
Model Assessment ◽  
Food Record ◽  
Zn Concentration ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Serum Zn ◽  
Zn Status

Zn plays a key role in the synthesis and action of insulin. The aim of the present work was to determine whether a poorer Zn status was associated with insulin resistance in a group of 357 Spanish schoolchildren. Zn intake was determined by using a 3 d food record (i.e. Sunday to Tuesday). The body weight, height and waist and hip circumferences of all subjects were recorded and fasting plasma glucose, insulin and Zn concentrations were determined. Insulin resistance was determined using the homoeostasis model assessment (HOMA) marker. Children (11·5 %) with Zn deficiency (serum Zn concentration < 10·7 μmol/l) had higher HOMA values than those with a more satisfactory Zn status (1·73 (sd0·93)) compared with 1·38 (sd0·90;P < 0·05). An inverse correlation was found between the HOMA value and the serum Zn concentration (r− 0·149,P < 0·05). The risk of having a greater insulin resistance value (HOMA greater than the 75th percentile) increased with age (OR 1·438; 95 % CI 1·021, 2·027) and BMI (OR 1·448; 95 % CI 1·294, 1·619) and decreased as Zn serum levels increased (OR 0·908; 95 % CI 0·835, 0·987;P < 0·001). Moreover, an inverse relationship was observed between HOMA values and Zn dietary density (r− 0·122), and the Zn intakes of male children with a HOMA value of >3·16 made a significantly smaller contribution to the coverage of those recommended (59·7 (sd14·7) %) than observed in children with lower HOMA values (73·6 (sd18·2) %;P < 0·05). Taking into account that Zn intake was below than that recommended in 89·4 % of the children, it would appear that increasing the intake of Zn could improve the health and nutritional status of these children, and thus contribute to diminish problems of insulin resistance.

scholarly journals Nutritional Profile of the Population in a Food-For-Work Project Area: A Case Study from Samburu District, Kenya

1994 ◽  
Vol 15 (3) ◽  
pp. 1-13
Author(s):  
A. A. Kielmann ◽  
N. S. Kielmann ◽  
A. A. J. Jansen ◽  
D. N. Njama ◽  
G. K. Maritim ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Preschool Children ◽  
Vitamin A Deficiency ◽  
Control Area ◽  
Reproductive Age ◽  
Nutrition Status ◽  
School Age Children ◽  
School Age ◽  
Northern Kenya ◽  
High Prevalence ◽  
Work Programme

The nutrition status of Samburu tribesmen of northern Kenya and the potential nutritional effects of a food-for-work programme were assessed by anthropometric and dietary surveys over a period of five weeks. The investigations were carried out at four input localities, where the programme had provided a daily average of 173 kcal and 5 g protein per capita over the preceding year, and a fifth control area. Compared with Kenya as a whole, the Samburu community showed an unexpectedly high prevalence of wasting: 74% of the surveyed individuals were below 90% of the NCHS weight-for-height median, and 34% were below 80%. Relative wasting was especially prevalent among school-age children, of whom 86% were below 90% and 44% were below 80% of the standard, and among elders, with 88% and 64% below these thresholds respectively. Mid-upper arm circumferences were lowest among school-age children (mean 14.6 cm). Haematocrits were low in all age and social groups. Aside from three preschool children with xerophthalmia, a number of both preschool and school-age children had clinical histories suggestive of earlier vitamin A deficiency. Goitre was more prevalent among the older generations than among school-age or preschool children, suggesting a periodic but not uninterrupted availability of iodized salt. In the input locations, both anthropometric and haematocrit values among the most vulnerable members of the communities, preschool children and women of reproductive age, were significantly higher than those for comparable groups in the control location. Overall, the food-for-work programme was judged to be a worthwhile effort to help Samburus to be once again self-sufficient.

scholarly journals Higher risk of zinc deficiency in New Zealand Pacific school children compared with their Māori and European counterparts: a New Zealand national survey

2010 ◽  
Vol 105 (3) ◽  
pp. 436-446 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rosalind S. Gibson ◽  
Karl B. Bailey ◽  
Winsome R. Parnell ◽  
Noela Wilson ◽  
Elaine L. Ferguson
Keyword(s):  
New Zealand ◽  
Public Health Problem ◽  
Optimal Growth ◽  
Normal Serum ◽  
Zn Deficiency ◽  
Nutrition Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Serum Zn ◽  
Low Serum

Few multi-ethnic national surveys have examined Zn nutriture, despite its importance for optimal growth and development during childhood. We assessed the Zn status of urban and semi-urban children aged 5–15 years from three ethnic groups in New Zealand (NZ) in the 2002 Children's National Nutrition Survey and investigated the factors predisposing them to Zn deficiency. In a 10-month cross-sectional survey, Pacific and Māori children were over-sampled permitting ethnic-specific analyses. Anthropometry, serum Zn and Zn intakes via 24 h recalls were measured. Anthropometriczscores were highest in Pacific children. Overall, mean adjusted serum Zn at 11 years was for males and females, respectively: 11·9 (95 % CI 11·5, 12·3) and 12·5 (95 % CI 12·0, 12·9) μmol/l in NZ European and Other (NZEO) children (n395); 11·9 (95 % CI 11·4, 12·4) and 12·0 (95 % CI 11·4, 12·5) μmol/l in Māori children (n379); and 11·5 (95 % CI 11·1, 11·9) and 11·4 (95 % CI 11·1, 11·8) μmol/l in Pacific children (n589). The predictors of serum Zn were age, serum Se and sex for NZEO children; serum Se and age for Pacific children; and none for Māori children. Pacific children had the highest prevalence of low serum Zn (21 (95 % CI 11, 30) %), followed by Māori children (16 (95 % CI 12, 20) %) and NZEO children (15 (95 % CI 9, 21) %). Prevalence of inadequate Zn intakes, although low, reached 8 % for Pacific children who had the lowest Zn intake/kg body weight. Pacific boys but not girls with low serum Zn had a lower mean height-for-agez-score (P < 0·007) than those with normal serum Zn. We conclude that the biochemical risk of Zn deficiency in Pacific children indicates a public health problem. However, a lack of concordance with the risk of dietary Zn inadequacy suggests the need for better defined cut-offs in children.

scholarly journals Exchangeable Zinc Pool (EZP) Size in Bangladeshi Toddlers at Risk of Environmental Enteric Dysfunction (EED) Is Not Influenced by Inflammation (OR07-03-19)

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Leland Miller ◽  
Julie Long ◽  
Prasenjit Mondal ◽  
Jamie Westcott ◽  
M Munirul Islam ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
At Risk ◽  
Stable Isotope ◽  
Linear Regression ◽  
Intestinal Inflammation ◽  
Prediction Interval ◽  
Urban Slum ◽  
Zn Deficiency ◽  
Serum Zn ◽  
Gates Foundation ◽  
Zn Status

Abstract Objectives The effect of infection and inflammation on EZP size, a putative biomarker of Zn status, is unknown. We sought to evaluate the relationship of EZP to systemic inflammation in a group of toddlers with high risk of Zn deficiency and EED. Methods Subjects were 112 children from an urban slum area in Dhaka, Bangladesh, aged 18–24 months, at risk of EED and who participated in stable isotope studies of Zn homeostasis while on habitual diets. All children underwent screening for EED, using L: M ratio, and multiple markers of systemic and intestinal inflammation were obtained. EZP size was measured from intravenously administered stable isotope of Zn, with urine collections obtained over 4 days, starting 3 days after isotope administration. The size of EZP was calculated by dividing the mass (mg) of intravenous isotope dose (67 Zn or 68 Zn) by the enrichment value at the y intercept of the linear regression: EZP (mg) = IV dose/y-intercept. The intercept is estimated from linear regression of a semi-log plot of urine enrichment data. Multiple regression analysis was applied to examine relationships among child size, serum Zn, markers of systemic and intestinal inflammation and EZP. EZP was also compared to previously published evaluation of EZP from multiple studies (Miller LV, J Nutr, 2016). Results Mean (± SD) age of subjects was 19 ± 2 months; mean weight 9.1 ± 1.0 kg; mean dietary Zn was 2.7 mg/d. Mean EZP was 3.7 ± 0.5 mg/kg, compared to an expected value of 4.1 mg/kg based on the previous published analysis of all child data; all data points were within the 90% prediction interval from those data (Figure). Compared to existing child data, these children weighed less and had smaller EZP. EZP/kg was directly associated with serum Zn concentration, and inversely associated with hemoglobin and dietary Zn (best model R2 = 0.24). The analyses indicated no evidence of an association of EZP/kg with any biomarkers of inflammation. Conclusions The apparent absence of an effect of inflammation on EZP size may provide some advantage over serum Zn. The inverse relationship with dietary Zn suggests redistribution of Zn pools in chronic marginal Zn status. Evaluation of utility of EZP as a biomarker of Zn status will require measurement during controlled interventions. Funding Sources Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. Supporting Tables, Images and/or Graphs

scholarly journals Zinc Deficiency, Plasma Fatty Acid Profile and Desaturase Activities in Hemodialysis Patients: Is Supplementation Necessary?

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marija Takic ◽  
Milica Zekovic ◽  
Brankica Terzic ◽  
Aleksandar Stojsavljevic ◽  
Mirjana Mijuskovic ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Fatty Acid ◽  
Fatty Acid Profile ◽  
Phospholipid Fatty Acid ◽  
Plasma Phospholipid ◽  
Zn Deficiency ◽  
Gas Liquid Chromatography ◽  
Pufa Supplementation ◽  
Pufa Intake ◽  
Serum Zn ◽  
Zn Status

Background: Desaturation and elongation are critical processes in endogenous metabolic fatty acid pathways. Zinc (Zn) is a cofactor for desaturases and elongases enzymes. There is limited evidence regarding the relationships between biomarkers of Zn status, nutritional intake, plasma phospholipid fatty acid profile and clinical outcomes among patients undergoing hemodialysis (HD).Objective: To examine the relationships between dietary and serum levels of Zn and Cu/Zn ratio and to explore associations of these micronutrients with PUFA profile and estimated desaturase and elongase enzyme activities in serum phospholipids among HD patients.Methods: This study included 40 adult patients undergoing hemodialysis treatment. Repeated 24-h recalls were applied for dietary intake assessment. Serum concentration of Zn and Cu were determined using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry and fatty acid composition by gas-liquid chromatography. Desaturase and elongase activities were calculated from product-precursor fatty acid ratios.Results: Inadequate dietary Zn intake was found in 55% of HD patients. They all had serum Zn concentration below the reference value of 60 μg/dL (mean 38.8 ± 7.72 μg/dL). Adequate zinc intake was accompanied with significantly higher intake of energy, total fats, SFA, MUFA and proteins. There was no correlation between Zn serum status and Zn intake estimates. Serum Cu/Zn ratio was high, (2.76 ± 0.68), directly and significantly associated with HD period, CRP, BMI, VFA, and inversely with Kt/V, albumin, iron, and iPTH. The n-6/n-3 ratio in plasma phospholipids was elevated (12.25 ± 3.45) and patients with inadequate Zn intake had lower n-3 PUFA intake and status compared to those with adequate intake. Serum Zn concentrations were inversely correlated with linoleic/dihomo-γ-linolenic acid ratio (LA/DGLA) (p = 0.037), related to D6-desaturase activity (p = 0.033) and directly with DGLA relative abundances (p = 0.024). Cu status was inversely associated with EPA level (p = 0.03) and estimates of elongase activity (p = 0.001). Furthermore, positive relationship was found between the Cu/Zn ratio and determined elongase value (p = 0.01).Conclusion: Findings of this study underpin the high prevalence of Zn deficiency and inadequate n-3 PUFA intake and status among subjects undergoing HD. The results obtained indicate that the assessment of Zn status should be a standard parameter of nutritional status screening in HD patients while emphasizing the importance of Cu/Zn determination. Although further research is warranted, Zn and-n-3 PUFA supplementation in HD patients might be beneficial for the prevention and attenuation of adverse health outcomes

scholarly journals Clinical significance of zinc: results of the 14-year prospective study of children

2018 ◽  
pp. 147-153
Author(s):  
T. I. Legonkova ◽  
O. N. Shtykova ◽  
O. V. Voitenkova ◽  
T. G. Stepina
Keyword(s):  
Prospective Study ◽  
Pregnant Women ◽  
Clinical Significance ◽  
Zinc Deficiency ◽  
Risk Groups ◽  
The Body ◽  
Zn Deficiency ◽  
School Age ◽  
Serum Zn ◽  
Zinc Levels

Purpose of the study: to determine the clinical significance of Zn deficiency based on the 14-year prospective study of children with different levels of zinc at birth. Patients and methods. Pregnant women and their newborns (n = 316) were screened for serum Zn levels. A total of 146 motherchild pairs were followed-up during the year, of which 102 children were followed-up for up to 14 years. Results. The study showed that the prevalence of zinc deficiency in the women followed-up was as follows: 77% in pregnant women, 80% in newborns. 94% of children with Zn deficiency at birth demonstrated zinc deficiency even at school age. There is a correlation between the serum Zn level in children and their mothers both during the newborn period and at school age (r = 0.38), with p <0.05. the period of newborns, and at school age (r = 0.38), with p <0.05. The 1-year-children with zinc deficiency, in comparison with infants with sufficient zinc levels are more often diagnosed with rickets 86,2% and 45,1%, anemia 37,9% and 17,7%, dystrophy 27,5% and 13,8 %, as well as atopic dermatitis 65.5% and 29.4%, allergic reactions 24.1% and 15.7%, at school age they were diagnosed with a pathology of the musculoskeletal system (79% and 52%, respectively), gastrointestinal tract (61% and 41%), nervous systems (54% and 30%) and skin (66% and 45%) with p <0.05. The decrease in resistance of the body was identified 2 times more often in zinc-deficient children. The conclusion. Zinc is important at all stages of a person’s life, therefore the analysis of zinc availability should be carried out not only in pregnant and nursing mothers, children of early age, but also among risk groups for the deficiency of this microelement.

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