Influence of Micronutrient Status during Infancy and Middle Childhood on Cognition at Middle Childhood.

Objectives: To evaluate the relationship between micronutrient status during infancy and middle childhood on cognition at middle childhood. Methods: A longitudinal study was conducted in apparent healthy children in the northeast of Thailand. Intelligence Quotient (IQ) was measured using the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children, III (Thai) at 9 y. Hemoglobin, serum ferritin, and serum zinc (sZn) were assessed at early infancy (4 mo), late infancy (1 y), and middle childhood (9 y). Serum transferrin receptor and urine iodine (UI) were assessed at 9 y. Using multiple regression, the relationship between micronutrient status during infancy and middle childhood and cognition at middle childhood was ascertained. Results: Full scale IQ and performance IQ at 9 y was influenced by sZn at 1 y (β = 0.4 μmol/L, p = 0.011 and β = 0.6 μmol/L, p = 0.001). The influence of UI at 9 y on Verbal IQ at 9 was small but significant (β = 0.02 μg/L, p = 0.024). None of the iron status at 4 mo, 1 y, and 9 y were associated with IQ. Conclusions: In apparent healthy children, zinc status at late infancy and iodine status at middle childhood were associated with IQ at middle childhood. Further analyses are needed to understand this relationship.

The relationship between smoking, BMI, physical activity, and dietary intake among Thai adults in central Thailand.

OBJECTIVE: Evaluate dietary intake, physical activity, and BMI in adult Thais stratified by smoking status, living in the central region of Thailand. MATERIAL AND METHOD: Participants (n = 1,027) were administered a health questionnaires, 24-h dietary recall, and anthropometric measurements were obtained. RESULTS: Compared to ex-smokers (24.5 +/- 4.3 kg/m2) and non-smokers (24.8 +/- 4.0 kg/m2), current smokers (22.6 +/- 3.8 kg/m2) had significantly lower BMIs, regardless of gender (p < 0.001). In addition, male smokers had smaller waist circumferences than non-smokers. There were no statistically significant differences in nutrient intake or physical activity based on smoking status. Results from this study are consistent with others reports showing that smoking is associated with lower weights and BMI when compared to non-smokers. The mechanism for this association may be related to the potential for nicotine to increase metabolic rate rather than appetite suppression in smokers. CONCLUSION: Because the substantial negative health consequences of smoking are far stronger than those associated with modest weight differences, smoking cannot be viewed as an appropriate weight management strategy.