Revista Peruana de Medicina Experimental y Salud Pública (Oct 2017)

Dietetic determinants of zinc consumption in stunted children under five in maya communities from Guatemala

  • Michele Monroy-Valle,
  • Wendy Coyoy,
  • Jorge De León,
  • Iván D. Flórez

DOI
https://doi.org/10.17843/rpmesp.2017.343.2276
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 34, no. 3
pp. 451 – 8

Abstract

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The objective of the study was to identify the elements from feeding patterns that influence the intake and bioavailability of zinc in stunted children (SC) 1-5 years from Maya communities living in Huehuetenango, Guatemala. This descriptive, cross-sectional study was performed in 138 stunted children aged 1-5 years. It was applied: an inventory of zinc food sources availability, a Food Frequency Questionnaire, a questionnaire about living conditions. anthropometrics measurements and information on food intake habits, and information about disease prevalence. Twenty-eight food sources of zinc were available for consumption (54% low and 7% high zinc bioavailability). The consumption of foods with high bioavailability was low, while the antagonistic foods were high. On average the daily zinc consumption in diet 3 mg (95% CI: 2.65-3.35). Only 14.5% of the children met the zinc requirements, and 2.9% reached the daily recommendation. Episodes of diarrhea and respiratory infections were observed 15 days before the visit, in 29.71% and 45.6% of children, respectively. Most of children have a diet that does not cover the daily requirement.

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