Study on zinc fractional absorption in routine diets for children in Shandong rural region

  Objective   To study zinc fractional absorption in routine diets for children in Shandong rural region and the nutrients correlated with it.

  Methods   The volunteers, aged 4~6 years, were recruited from rural region in Shandong.Stable Isotope ⁶⁷ Zn 3.0 mg was administered to volnteers before supper orally.Zinc content in diets and feces and ⁶⁷ Zn/⁶⁸ Zn in feces were determined by Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy(AAS), and Thermal Ionization Mass Spectrometer(TIMS)to calculate zinc fractional absorption.Meanwhile, the daily intakes of iron, calcium, fat, protein, phytic acid, fibre, and Vitamin C(VC) were determined, and the results were compared with Chinese Reference Nutrient Intakes(RNIs)for children.

  Results   The zinc fractional absor ption was(12.94±3.32)%, and the daily intake of zinc was 11.16 mg that was 96.7% of RNI.The intakes of protein and VCwere 31.2 g and 13.3 mg respectively, being 62.4% and 19.0% of RNIs.

  Conclusion   Under the rout ine dietary model of Shandong rural region, the zinc fractional absorption is low.Furthermore, the daily intakes of protein and vitamin Care insufficient.