Nutritional assessment of zinc among adolescents in the Gaza Strip-Palestine

Abstract

Zinc deficiency, obesity and stunting can be observed together in some developing countries. Moreover, zinc deficiency may enhance fat deposition and decrease lean body mass. In term of health, adequate absorbable zinc in food is essential for human health and growth. On the other hand, zinc deficiency affects children's physical growth and deteriorates health status and increases the risk and severity of a variety of infectious diseases. The aim of the study is to assess zinc nutritional status among early adolescents in the Gaza Strip-Palestine. Methods: A cross sectional study had been performed on 296 adolescents aged 12 -15 years old. Three areas in the Gaza Strip were chosen randomly. Systematically, pupils of 7 th , 8 th and 9 th grades were selected. Height and weight measures were taken. Questionnaires including dietary habit and physical activities of pupils were collected in addition to serum zinc level measure. Results: The overall prevalence of serum zinc deficiency among adolescents was 42.5%. Zinc deficiency was more prevalent among the females (47.7%) than the males (37.2%). The overall prevalence of high body mass index was 29%. The overall prevalence of stunting was 7.6%. The stunted males (8.8%) were more prevalent than the females (6.4%). Forty-nine percent of the females live in sedentary life style, whereas 55% of the males practiced active and very active leisure physical activity. The females were less consuming of meat, eggs and milk than the males. Serum zinc level is associated positively with consumption of meat, BMI for age, stunting and physical activities. Conclusion: Zinc deficiency is prevalent among adolescents. Serum zinc level was affected positively by consumption of animal food sources. Zinc deficiency is associated positively with the life style characteristic of adolescents in the Gaza Strip.

Prevalence and associated factors of low serum zinc concentration in adolescents of Gambella city, Southwest Ethiopia

“…However, the prevalence of low zinc concentration was lower than that reported in other similar studies conducted elsewhere. 11,12,14 On the other hand, the prevalence is similar to those reported from Sudan and Iran, where the prevalence of ZD was 9% and 7.9%, respectively. 20,21 The reason for the similarity may be the feeding habits and differences in the soil zinc levels in the study areas.…”

“…16 Another study conducted at Gaza Strip, Palestine, using a food frequency questionnaire, concluded that serum zinc level and dietary habits are correlated in adolescents. 17 The consumption of diversified food improves the micronutrient status of adolescents, since these food items are rich sources of zinc and other essential nutrients. 26 Another possible reason may be that as the number of food items consumed increases, the chance of including animal source food in the diet may be high, which is a good source of zinc.…”

“…5 The global prevalence of ZD was 31% in 2004, ranging from 4% to 73% across the subregions. 10 Studies conducted in Ethiopia, 11,12 India, 7,13 Palestine, 14 Nepal, 15 and Iran 16 reported a high prevalence of ZD in adolescents.…”

“…Findings of deferent studies were used to determine the expected prevalence figures of exposure factors in cases and controls. 16,17 Eventually, the sample size calculated by using the prevalence of ZD was adequate to study the factors affecting ZD.…”

“…Factors such as sociodemographic variables, economic status, feeding habits, and health status are reported to affect the serum zinc concentration in studies done elsewhere. [11][12][13][14][15][16] Thus, this study set out to assess the prevalence and factors associated with low serum zinc concentration among high school adolescents in Southwest Ethiopia, where the prevalence of ZD is not known.…”