Assessment of Zinc Intake in Children and Adolescents - Essay Example

Assessment of zinc intake in children and adolescents Insert name Institution Instructor Date Assessment of zinc intake in children and adolescents Methods of assessing zinc intake Zinc is an essential mineral in the human body. According to the recommendations and requirements of nutrition, human beings are required to take a specific amount of zinc in a day. The daily recommended allowances of zinc should be strictly followed in order to meet the requirement. In a determination to determine the zinc intake of children and adolescents, it is important to involve their parents and guardians in the study (Chernoff 2006). There are several dietary methods that can be used for the purpose of assessment. Assessment is a procedure that can be done in a speculated time. The nutritionist can carry out several tests on the population to evaluate the intake of zinc. Food frequency tables can be used in the assessment of the mineral. This is because the person being assessed is given a table whereby they are expected to record their daily foods and there quantities (Institute of Medicine & Institute of Medicine 2001). This table after the specified time is then returned to the nutritionist who will assess the intake of zinc in that period of time. This can be done by knowing the exact quantities of food that they ate and calculating the minerals in them. The second method that can be used is that of the 7 day frequency table. In this case, the parents of the child or the adolescents themselves are given a frequency table after which they are expected to carry it home and fill it within seven days. In this table, they are expected to fill anything that they ate within the day for a seven day period (Chernoff 2006). The nutritionist will then survey and record the intake patterns and quantities. The other method that can be effectively used is that of the 24 hour recall. In this method, the nutritionist is expected to make questionnaires for the people he or she is assessing. This is because the 24 hour recall method involves the nutritionist asking the parents and adolescents what they ate in the last 24 hours. This means that anything that they ate in the last 24 hours should be recorded. After this is done, the calculations can be done comfortably to determine the levels of zinc intake at the national level. Nutritional information on zinc Zinc is an essential mineral that can be found naturally in several foods or can be added to a food. Food fortification is a common norm in the field of nutrition. The mineral can also be found in dietary supplements and over the counter drugs. Research has shown that there are several sources that are rich in the zinc mineral (Manore et al 2009). They are known to contain zinc traces in different quantities. It is therefore important to ensure that one takes several sources of the same. Oysters, toasted wheat germ, liver, roasted beef, roasted pumpkin, cocoa powder, dark chocolates, lamb mutton, peanuts and crab are among the richest sources of this mineral. It is also recommended by nutritionists that a person should take the recommended quantities of this mineral. The following table is an illustration of the recommended quantities of zinc. The recommended daily allowance for zinc There are several serious implications in a situation where a person is not having enough zinc in the body. Deficiencies of zinc can happen for several reasons. For instance, the deficiency can occur if the person does not take enough zinc on a daily basis. It is also possible for this condition to occur if the person has a problem with absorption and utilization of the mineral. It is also proven by research that in some instances a person may be losing large amounts of zinc from their body. It is also possible that there is a deficiency of zinc in the body since the body has an increased level of the mineral than in the past. If this occurs there some health conditions that is likely to happen (Manore et al 2009). Growth retardation, loss of appetite, impaired immune system, hair loss, diarrhea, delayed sexual maturation, impotence and mental problems. According to research it is evident that there is a group of people who are at risk of getting this deficiency. People with gastro intestinal diseases, vegetarians, pregnant and lactating women, older infants who are being exclusively breastfed, people with sickle cell and alcoholics. Health benefit of zinc There are several health benefits of zinc as a mineral. Zinc is a special mineral in the body since it is involved with several conditions and functions in the body. Zinc has been proved to function best when taken with other minerals too. It is important as a person to note that zinc should be taken according to the recommended daily allowances by the food nutrition and dietetics board. Zinc according to research, is said to help in the functioning of the immune system. Immune functioning is important for each and every human being. This is because this function is responsible for the prevention and cure of diseases in the body. It is also known for wound healing (Nath, R 2000). It has played a major function in the connecting of the tissues responsible for wound healing. It is therefore evident that since this mineral can boost the immune system Ii is also part of the wound healing process. In several research reports, it has been mentioned that diarrhea can be stopped by zinc. This is because zinc replaces the lost minerals and salts in the body. It is because of this function that mothers are advised to have zinc tablets in their homes just in case of an emergency. If a baby starts to diarrhea, it is important to ensure that they get fluids in plenty and also take the zinc supplements. It has also been established that zinc can be used to cure or reduce the effects of the common cold. Cold is a very stubborn condition that makes a person feel weak. Zinc has the ability to reduce the cold and eventually cure it. Zinc has been known to function directly with the tissues of the body. According to research, this mineral plays a major role in the division of cells. Zinc mineral has also been found to be a very powerful antioxidant. Antioxidants are useful in the human body since they prevent the body from some dangerous diseases. A good example of this is cancer (National Research Council 1989). Cancer is a dangerous disease that is a menace among the human race. According to doctors, it is important to ensure that one prevents this condition in all manners possible. This is because the survivors of this condition are very few. Antioxidants are helpful in such situations. The mineral has also been found to function perfectly well in the endocrine system. This is majorly because, this mineral is said to maintain ideal hormone levels in the body. Hormones are like the drivers of the body. They should also be maintained in specific levels in order for the body to function well. It is therefore evident that zinc has a major role to play in the well being and functioning of the body. The endocrine system is among the most delicate parts of the body. This means that if this system fails, then the whole body is at risk of dying. Deficiency of this mineral has been found to lead to infertility in both women and men. Infertility is brought about by the fact that these men or women experience low libido. This condition can be corrected by the increase of zinc in the diet if it is not in the advanced stages. Zinc can be added into the diet by increasing the foods rich in this mineral. In some cases people are asked to use zinc supplements (Nath 2000). According to nutritionists it is also important for a couple to ensure that they plan for their babies before having them. This is because; planning ensures that the couple gets a healthy baby. For a man, he should change his dietary practices and increase zinc six months before, whereas for a lady it should be done three months before. By doing this, increasing zinc in the diet, it is said that the man is likely to produce a healthy seed. This healthy seed is almost sure that it will not have some diseases associated with poor nutritional practices before and during pregnancy. It is important to ensure that the recommended daily allowances are followed strictly when increasing the amount of zinc in the diet. This is because there are some conditions associated with excessive zinc intake. Reference list Chernoff, R 2006. Geriatric nutrition: The health professional's handbook. Sudbury: Mass. Institute of Medicine (U.S.)., & Institute of Medicine (U.S.) 2001. Dietary reference intakes for vitamin A, vitamin K, arsenic, boron, chromium, copper, iodine, iron, manganese, molybdenum, nickel, silicon, vanadium, and zinc. Washington, D.C: National Academy Press. Manore, M., Meyer, N. L., & Thompson, J 2009. Sport nutrition for health and performance. Champaign, IL: Human Kinetics. Nath, R 2000. Health and disease role of micronutrients and trace elements: Recent advances in the assessment of micronutrients and trace elements : deficiency in humans. New Delhi: A.P.H. Publising Corporation. National Research Council (U.S.) 1989. Diet and health: Implications for reducing chronic disease risk. Washington, D.C: National Academy Press. Read More