SCHOOL PERFORMANCE IS ASSOCIATED WITH DIETARY IRON AND ZINC INTAKE IN ADOLESCENT GIRLS

摘要

ABSTRACT: The purpose of this investigation was to determine whether dietary iron (Fe) and Zinc (Zn) intake is associated with school performance in adolescent girls. Forty-eight girls (14.6?7 yrs) were enrolled Eight students were excluded because they had anemia or sideropenia (low serum ferritin). The remaining 40 students were asked to keep a 7-day alimentary diary at home at 4 months after starting school Nutrient intake, assessed by an analysis of the diaries, was then related to performance in two school subjects: mathematics (written: WM; oral: OM) and written Italian (WI). Among nutrients, Fe positively and significantly correlated with both WM and OM (p<0.01), WI (p<0.02). Zinc intake was positively linked to WM(p<0.03) and OM(p<0.04). Iron resulted higher significantly in students with satisfactory matter scores (>6) than in students with unsatisfactory performance (<6) (p<0.003); zinc intakes tended to be higher in students with satisfactory matter