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

摘要

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 Maori children were over-sampled permitting ethnic-specific analyses. Anthropometry, serum Zn and Zn intakes via 24 h recalls were measured. Anthropometric z scores 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) mumol/l in NZ European and Other (NZEO) children (n 395); 11.9 (95% CI 11.4, 12.4) and 12.0 (95% CI 11.4, 12.5) mumol/l in Maori children (n 379); and 11.5 (95% CI 11.1, 11.9) and 11.4 (95% CI 11.1, 11.8) mumol/l in Pacific children (n 589). The predictors of serum Zn were age, serum Se and sex for NZEO children; serum Se and age for Pacific children; and none for Maori children. Pacific children had the highest prevalence of low serum Zn (21 (95% CI 11, 30) %), followed by Maori 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-age z-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.