Plasma Zinc Concentration, Body Composition and Physical Activity in Obese Preschool Children

Abstract

Zinc (Zn) deficiency and obesity can be observed together in some developing countries. Zn deficiency may enhance fat deposition and decrease lean mass accrual, which in turn, appears to influence physical activity (PA), although this has not yet been evaluated in obese children. The objective of the study was to find out the association between measurements of plasma Zn and serum leptin, body composition, and PA in Chilean obese preschool children. Seventy-two 18- to 36-month-old obese children [weight-for-length/height z score (WHZ) > 2.0 SD], belonging to low socioeconomic communities, participated in the study. Plasma Zn, serum leptin, weight, waist circumference, height, total body water (TBW) assessed by deuterium isotopic dilution technique and daily activity, measured by registering 48 h with an accelerometer, were evaluated. We found 82% of children with WHZ > 3 SD. The geometric mean Zn intake was 6.2 +/- 2.5 mg/day. The mean plasma Zn was 91.8 +/- 11.4 microg/dL, with 10% of the children having levels <80 microg/dL. No correlation was found between plasma Zn concentrations and either weight, WHZ, or waist circumference. Serum leptin was lower in males than in females (2.9 +/- 2.8 vs 6.8 +/- 5.0 ng/mL, respectively; p < 0.001). TBW was different between males and females (56.2 +/- 5.4 vs 52.8 +/- 4.3% body weight, respectively; p = 0.004), but no significant association was found between TBW and plasma Zn. Moderate + intense PA, (as percentage of wake time), was greater in males than in females (6.3 +/- 3.1% vs 3.4 +/- 2.3%, respectively; p < 0.001), but it was not significantly correlated to plasma Zn. In conclusion, plasma Zn was not associated with body composition as assessed by TBW, serum leptin, or with the magnitude of physical activity in Chilean overweight preschool children.

Obesity, Oxidative Stress, Adipose Tissue Dysfunction, and the Associated Health Risks: Causes and Therapeutic Strategies

“…55 Lower selenium and zinc levels have been observed in obese children, especially in children with central obesity. 25,56 In addition, morbidly obese patients also show magnesium, selenium, iron, and zinc deficiencies. 57 These results suggest that in the obese population, inadequate concentrations of vitamins and minerals cause the observed impaired antioxidant defense.…”

Associação das concentrações séricas de zinco com hipercolesterolemia e resistência à insulina em crianças brasileiras

“…Sua baixa expressão em indivíduos obesos está associada à diminuição sérica de leptina, podendo desempenhar um papel importante na patogênese da obesidade 33 . A ação anti-inflamatória do zinco pode ser um dos fatores que contribuem para a inibição da produção de citocinas pró-inflamatórias e diminuição da PCR 14 . A maioria dos estudos que avaliam a relação entre marcadores inflamatórios e concentrações séricas de zinco em crianças está relacionada a doenças agudas infecciosas como diarreia e infecção respiratória.…”

“…A relação entre as alterações na composição corporal e a concentração sérica de zinco tem sido investigada em crianças 14 , devido ao papel que este mineral exerce tanto no aumento da gordura corporal, com um efeito adicional à insulina na lipogênese que ocorre nos adipócitos 15 , quanto na sua diminuição devido ao efeito da zinco-α-2 glicoproteína (ZAG), uma adipocina que induz a mobilização de lipídios no tecido adiposo. Esses e outros mecanismos estão ligados principalmente a um metabolismo complexo do zinco, envolvendo diversas enzimas e rotas metabólicas, que precisam ser melhor investigadas.…”

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

“…8 This may be due to the fact that ZD may improve fat accumulation and depletion of lean tissue. 30 There is a synergy between ZD and reduced physical growth, since zinc has an essential role in the physical growth and development of human tissues. 19 In this study, wealth status was positively associated with the serum zinc level of adolescents.…”