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Prevalence and severity of micronutrient deficiency: a cross-sectional study among adolescents in Sri Lanka.
- Source :
-
Asia Pacific Journal of Clinical Nutrition . Mar2006, Vol. 15 Issue 1, p56-62. 7p. - Publication Year :
- 2006
-
Abstract
- In order to determine the prevalence of micronutrient deficiencies (iron, zinc and folate) in Sri Lankan adolescent school children and the extent to which multiple micronutrient deficiencies exist in this population, a cross-sectional survey (2003) in the Galle district of the micronutrient and anthropometric status of 945 school children of ages 12 - 16 years was performed. The prevalence of anemia (Hb <120.0 g/L) was 49.5% in males and 58.1% in females (overall 54.8%, gender difference, P=0.004). In anemic children 30.2% of males and 47.8% of females were iron deficient (serum ferritin <30.0 µg/L). Folate deficiency (<6.80 nmol/L) was found in 54.6% and 52.5% of boys and girls respectively whereas zinc deficiency (<9.95 µmol/L) occurred in 51.5% and 58.3%. Anemic boys had a 1.5 (95% confidence interval (CI) 0.9-2.6) and 1.6-fold (CI; 1.1-2.6) greater risk of being stunted and underweight, whereas the risk among anemic girls was 1.7 (CI; 1.1-2.7) and 1.0 (CI; 0.7-1.5) for being stunted and underweight. The relative risks of having at least two deficiencies in iron, zinc and folate among anemic children were 1.6 (CI; 0.6- 4.2) among boys and 0.8 (CI; 0.5- 1.5) among girls. Iron deficient subjects had a significantly increased risk of 1.8 (CI, 1.1-3.0) of being deficient in folate and 1.7 (CI, 1.2-2.6) of being deficient in zinc. Zinc deficient subjects had a risk of 1.3 (CI, 1.0-1.8) being iron deficient and 1.2 (CI, 0.9-1.7) of being folate deficient. Multiple micronutrient deficiencies are prevalent in Sri Lankan adolescents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Subjects :
- *MICRONUTRIENTS
*TEENAGERS
*ANTHROPOMETRY
*SCHOOL children
*DEFICIENCY diseases
Subjects
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 09647058
- Volume :
- 15
- Issue :
- 1
- Database :
- Academic Search Index
- Journal :
- Asia Pacific Journal of Clinical Nutrition
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 20220894