Iron, zinc, copper and magnesium nutritional status in Mexican children aged 1 to 11 years

Abstract

Objective. To describe the micronutrient nutritional status of a national sample of 1-11 year old Mexican children surveyed in 2006 in National Health and Nutrition Survey (ENSANUT 2006) and their association with dietary and sociodemographic factors. Materials and methods. Serum samples were used (n=5 060) to measure the concentrations of ferritin, transferrin receptor, zinc, copper and magnesium. Results. Prevalence of deficiencies in 1-4 and 5-11y old children were for iron (using low ferritin) 26.0 and 13.0%; zinc, 28.1 and 25.8%, respectively; and copper, ≈30% in both age groups. Magnesium low serum concentrations (MLSC), were found in 12.0% and 28.4% of the children, respectively. Being beneficiary of Liconsa (OR=0.32; C.I.95%, 0.17-0.61) or belonging to higher socioeconomic status (OR=0.63; C.I.95%, 0.41-0.97) were protective against iron deficiency. Increasing age (OR=0.59; C.I.95%, 1.19-1.32) and living in the Central Region (OR=0.59; C.I.95%, 0.36-0.97) were protective against MLSC. Conclusions. Deficiencies of iron and zinc are serious public health problems in Mexican children. ResumenObjetivo. Describir el estado nutricio de micronutrimentos en niños de 1-11 años de edad de la Encuesta Nacional de Salud y Nutrición 2006 y su asociación con factores dietéticos y sociodemográficos. Material y métodos. Se usaron muestras séricas (n=5 060) para medir las concentraciones de ferritina, receptor de transferrina, zinc, cobre y magnesio. Resultados. La prevalencias de deficiencias en niños de 1-4 y de 5 a 11 años fueron para ferritina, 26.0 y 13%; zinc, 28.1 y 25.8% respectivamente y cobre ≈30% en ambos grupos. Las concentraciones bajas de magnesio (CBM) fueron 12.0 y 28.4%, respectivamente. Ser beneficiario de Liconsa (RM=0.32; IC 95%: 0.17-0.61) y pertenecer al nivel socioeconómico alto (RM=0.63; IC, 95%: 0.41-0.97) fueron protectores para deficiencia de hierro. La edad (RM=1.26; IC, 95%: 1.19-1.32) y vivir en la región Centro (RM=0.59; IC, 95%: 0.36-0.97) fueron protectores para CBM. Conclusiones. Las deficiencias de hierro y zinc son serios problemas de salud pública en niños mexicanos.

Zinc Deficiency in Latin America and the Caribbean

“…24 In Mexico, the prevalence of zinc deficiency varied mildly by age, with rates of 29.2%, 27.5%, and 26.4% for children 1 to 2, 3 to 4, and 5 to 6 years of age, respectively. 26 Mexican and Ecuadorian women 12 to 49 years of age also had high rates of zinc deficiency (28% and 56%, respectively). 24,27 Mexico and Colombia have conducted two consecutive national surveys that collected information on serum zinc concentrations.…”

Effect of supplementation with ferrous sulfate or iron bis-glycinate chelate on ferritin concentration in Mexican schoolchildren: a randomized controlled trial

“…According to the 2006 National Health and Nutrition Survey in Mexico (relevant to the time in which the study was conducted), the prevalence of low iron stores in 5–11-year-old children nationwide was 13% [10]. In Mexico City, the prevalence of iron deficiency in children 5–11 years old was 4.5%, with a 95% confidence interval (95% CI) between 2.3 and 8.6, and 11% (95% CI: 7.4 – 14.5) in adolescents 12–14 years old [11].…”

Relationship between zinc and the growth and development of young children

“…Other studies have also reported such a relationship, e.g., research by Morales-Ruán et al (2012) indicates that as malnutrition becomes more severe in children, ADQ values also decrease. A study by Wang et al (2012) also indicates that nutritional status is associated with ADQ in children.…”