ABSTRACT
Background: We have previously reported that serum zinc (Zn) and copper (Cu) are affected by a number of factors. In the current investigation we have investigated the association between serum Zn and Cu concentrations and socio-economic factors in an Iranian population. Materials and methods: A Persian sample population (n = 2233; n = 1106 (49.5%) males and n = 1127 (50.5%) females) was recruited by cluster-stratified sampling. Individuals were aged 15-65 years, and included urban and rural residents of the Great Khorasan province, Iran. Anthropometric measurements, serum Zn and Cu analysis and socio-economic status were determined using standard protocols. Results: The mean serum Cu and Zn concentrations for the whole group were 14.7?3.3 ?mol /L (range 4.5-28.4 ?mol /L), and 11.7?1.9 ?mol/L (range 3.6-28.3 ?mol/L) respectively, and the mean serum Zn:Cu ratio for the group was 0.83?0.2. The highest mean copper concentrations were found in the age range 50-59 years (p < 0.01). The total population of urban residents had higher serum zinc (p <0.01) and lower serum copper concentrations (p <0.05) than rural residents. Poorly educated male subjects had significantly higher serum concentrations of copper than males in the other subgroups (p <0.001). Serum Cu and Zn:Cu ratio were associated with height and body mass indices (p <0.01). Conclusion: Low serum zinc and copper appears to be common in Persian individuals. Urbanization and also educational attainment may contribute to changes in serum levels of Cu and Zn. This is probably related to lifestyle habits.
ABSTRACT
Objective. To investigate whether an increase in dairy food consumption improves the changes in BMI and adiposity in children on an energy restricted diet. Methods. Overweight and obese children (n = 120, age: 12-18 Yr, BMI: 27-40 kg/m2) were randomized to receive a calorie restricted diet providing a 500 kcal/d deficit from total energy expenditure and two (n = 40), three (n = 40) or four (n = 40) servings of dairy products/day. Anthropometric measurements in addition to serum hs-CRP and lipid profile were measured at baseline and after 12 wk. Results. Among the 96 children who completed the study, significant reductions in overall BMI, BMI z-score, weight, total body fat percentage and total body fat mass were observed (p < 0.001) but these reductions were not significantly affected by increasing dairy intake (p > 0.05). Overall waist/hip ratio, Serum vitamin D and lipid profile did not change significantly (p > 0.05) apart from a significant increase in HDL-cholesterol (p < 0.001) which was independent of dairy intake (p > 0.05). Conclusion. Increased intake of dairy products does not lead to an augmented change in BMI, weight and body fat in overweight and obese children beyond what is achieved by calorie restriction.