Dietary Zinc Intake - Coursework Example

Zinc Intake Name Institution Zinc is an essential trace element that is a constituent of enzymes involved in variety of body processes such as protein metabolism, immune function, and cell growth (FNB, 2000). Zinc Methodology Procedures The survey participants selected household that had been initially approached by mail informing them that they had been selected for a survey. The mail contained the background of the survey, interview process information and confidentiality information. General information was obtained from any responsible adult member in the household such number, their demographic characteristics, and their relationships and the best person to provide information about children was nominated. From the survey population, a sample was selected on a random basis, one adult and one child. A personal interview was conducted for those aged 15-18 years; the adult was asked to respond on behalf of children aged less than 15 years. Dietary intake Zinc intake was assessed using Automated Multiple Pass Method (AMPM). It collects 24H food recall to provide information on quantifiable information on dietary intake for all the respondents consumed a day before the interview (NHMRC, 2006). The interview was done in duplicate after at least eight days through a telephone interview. The dietary recall steps include: 1) collect food list consumed the day before; 2) probe for any foods that were missed; 3) collect the occasion and time for each food; 4) collect the details, descriptions, portion sizes and additions; and 5) the final probe that asks for anything else consumed. The interviewer used a Food Model Booklet, was incorporated to the AMPM to help estimate portion size contains drawing of mugs, drinking glasses and bowls, drawing of estimated food serving in circles, thickness and large and small wedge triangular foods. The AMPM is an automated questionnaire which is considered to be effective as it guides the interviewer through a system that maximizes the respondent's ability to remember and report food eaten in the last 24 hours. Furthermore, it contains more than 10,000 types of food. AMPM has been used in the USA since 2002 to collect dietary recall. The strength of AMPM is that it imposes only a minimum burden on the respondent. However, it has a limitation because of the information depends on the respondent's memory and skills of the interviewer; thus the accuracy of dietary intake remain a problem. Zinc Intake and Nutrient References Value Zinc intake (mg/day) EAR (mg/day) RDI (mg/day) UL(mg/day) Boys 12.8 11.0 13.0 35.0 Girls 8.7 6.0 7.0 35.0 Total (boys and girls) 21.5 17.0 20.0 70.0 Source: (ABS, 2015), (NHMRC, 2006) The mean zinc intake for children aged from 14 to 18 years was 12.8 mg per day for male and 8.7 mg per day for females. The proportion male children aged between 14 to 18 years with usual intake less than EAR were 27.4 percent, while the proportion of female in the same category was 10 per cent (NHMRC, 2006). The results of the survey indicate that males are at higher risk of not meeting zinc requirements compared to girls. The frequency of males and females that have not met EAR is still high, and it is used as an indicator to show a group of the population that is at a higher risk of suboptimal zinc level. From age 14 to 18 years, male the requirements (EARs) for zinc almost double those for females of the same age group. This corresponds with the survey where the male was found to having inadequate intakes of zinc compared to their female counterparts, despite their median intake of zinc being higher than females'. From the survey, it is clear that males from this age group are at higher risk of zinc deficiency with a proportion of 27.4% not meeting the EAR for zinc, irrespective of taking zinc supplements. This is similar to another survey in Australia that has shown that low zinc for the same age group. The percentages of children aged 14 to 18 years whose usual intakes have exceeded upper level (UL) are 0 for both males and females. The UL refers to the maximum level of daily zinc intake that cannot make an individual to be at risk of adverse health effects (ABS, 2015). However, none of the children in the same age group exceeded the UL for zinc. Naturally occurring zinc in food has no adverse effects such as water, food, and supplements. Adverse effects are associated with zinc supplements intake and include reduced copper status, reduction in high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and immune response suppression. The adverse effect of high zinc intake on copper metabolism is a critical effect and gives the UL. The upper level of adolescents was therefore set at 35mg/day. Therefore, the absence of adverse effect suggests UL for children aged 14 to 18 years should be reviewed. Health Implications of Zinc Kawade (2012) The article has described the frequency of zinc deficiency in adolescents in India. Kawade highlighted the function of zinc which is critical information in this research. The author has also provided an adequate literature review on zinc status in Indian adolescent is lacking, how to improve zinc intake, tools to assess micro nutrients and studies that have confirmed zinc correlation to cognitive performance, but there lack information on the magnitude of the effect. This helped to situate authors owns research. The rationale of the study was clearly stated and aligns with the title. The author's objectives are also answerable to explain the research problem. The study a relatively large sample of 630 participants, and thus it was easier to detect a significant difference. Zinc diet was assessed using three random 24h recall methods. Although this method has a lower respondent burden, the data generated by using this method may not be a representation of participants long-term dietary intake. The instruments used were explained, but the reliability of the test was not given. The result showed that there was micronutrient deficiency; thus 45% of salt taste perception and cognitive performance was affected. However, it would not be easy for an average reader to interpret due to a sophisticated statistical method employed. The result showed of zinc supplement can improve plasma zinc status. Conclusions were based on the finding; however, no recommendations were given. Overall, the research was a significant contribution in addressing micronutrients deficiency. Shashi & Kawade (2014) Shashi & Kawade indicates that majority of Indians are lactovegetarians and animal source of zinc is inadequate in their diets; as a result, they have a low intake of bioavailable zinc. This statement agreed with the title; however, it is not clearly visible to the researcher felt the need to undertake this research. The objectives of the research were clearly stated and answerable, and they chose to obtain them from the title of the study. A cross-sectional study was used which is suitable to assess prevalence in the population, in this case, suboptimal zinc level in adolescence. The sample was randomly chosen, which a commonly used method by many researchers is as it allows accurate representation of the population. A sample of 403 girls was used, large enough to enable the study to detect significant differences. The method and instrument used were clearly given, and reliability of all possible tests was given. The findings were well organized in tables, and supporting data are well represented. The tables were well organized; however, the statistical analysis employed would not be easily interpreted by an average reader. The research results showed a correlation between zinc and cognition. However, taste acuity in salt was only correlated with EZ but weakly correlated with PZ. The authors highlighted that negative correlation with PZ had been reported in other studies. The authors also give further studies to be done in boys, differences in taste. Overall, the article was a significant contribution to the field of research. Consolo et al., 2013 Zinc supplementation has been positively correlated with linear growth; thus authors believed it might be useful in patients with leukemia as the role of zinc in such cases has not been clarified. The purpose of the study is aligned with the title. There was no literature review given. The study objective was answerable and served to explain the problem of the study. A double-blind, placebo-controlled randomized study was used for children aged between 1 and 18 years with leukemia. This study design is considered effective because neither the researcher nor the participant understands whether they are taking zinc supplements or placebo thus reducing selection bias. An important limitation is the sample size, 38 which limit to detect the effect of zinc supplements. Statistical techniques were also used for this study. The treatment and control group was provided in table form, and a short explanation was provided. The tables are well presented, and statistical techniques are employed. The study results indicated that there was a positive correlation between zinc supplementation and weight gain and reduction in episodes of infection. The conclusion of the study was logically stated on the findings; however, the authors failed to indicate that socioeconomic factors appear to affect the treatment effect in malnourished patients. The authors also did not give any recommendations in this area of study. The article was well written, and the research design was appropriate; however, there is a need for literature review to develop the situation. Key findings Zinc is an essential element for growth and development, especially in children and adolescents. According to 2011- 2013 Australia Health Survey on zinc intake in children and adolescents, both boys and girls aged between 14-18 years are at risk of insufficient zinc intake. However, the survey indicated that boys are at a higher risk (27.4%) compared to girls (10.0%) of not meeting the zinc requirements. The low level is a dietary indicator that this group of population is at elevated risk of zinc deficiency that has a negative impact on their growth and development. References Australian Bureau of Statistics, 2015, Australian Health Survey: Nutrition First Results - Foods and Nutrients, 2011-13, 'Table 4: Essential Minerals', data cube: Excel spreadsheet, cat. no. 4364.0.55.008 Consolo, L.Z., Melnikov, P., Coˆ nsolo, F.Z., Nascimento, V.A & Pontes, J.C. (2013). Zinc supplementation in children and adolescents with acute leukemia. European Journal of Clinical Nutrition 67, 1056–1059 Food and Nutrition Board: Institute of Medicine, (2000). Dietary Reference Intakes: Applications in dietary assessment, National Academy Press, Washington, D.C. Kawade, R. (2012). Zinc status and its association with the health of adolescents: a review of studies in India, Global Health Action 5, 1-10. National Health and Medical Research Council and New Zealand Ministry of Health, 2006, Nutrient Reference Values for Australia and New Zealand, Retrieved on 27 August 2016 from https://www.nrv.gov.au/.. Shashi A. C & Kawade. R. (2014). Linkages of biomarkers of zinc with cognitive performance and taste acuity in adolescent girls. International Journal of Food Science and Nutrition, 65(4), 399–403. Read More