Determinantes dietéticos del consumo de zinc en menores de cinco años con retardo del crecimiento en comunidades mayas de Guatemala / Dietetic Determinants of Zinc Consumption in Stunted Children Under Five in Maya Communities From Guatemala

RESUMEN El objetivo del estudio fue identificar elementos del patrón alimentario que influyen en la ingesta y biodisponibilidad de zinc en niños con retardo del crecimiento (RC) entre 1-5 años en comunidades maya de la localidad de Huehuetenango, Guatemala. Estudio descriptivo, transversal aplicado en 138 niños de entre 1-5 años con RC. Se realizó un inventario de disponibilidad alimentaria de fuentes de zinc, se construyó un cuestionario frecuencia de consumo de alimentos, un cuestionario de condiciones de vida, prácticas alimentarias, antropometría, y se recolectó información acerca de enfermedades infecciosas. Hubo disponibilidad de 28 alimentos fuentes de zinc (54% de baja y 7% de alta biodisponibilidad). El consumo de alimentos de alta biodisponibilidad fue bajo y el de alimentos antagonistas, alto. Los niños consumían 3 mg de zinc al día (IC95% 2,65-3,35). Solo el 14,5% alcanzaba los requerimientos de zinc, y el 2,9% alcanzaba la recomendación diaria. La ocurrencia de diarrea e infecciones, en los quince días previos, fue del 29,71 y 45,65%, respectivamente. Concluimos que la mayoría de niños con RC tuvo un bajo consumo de fuentes de zinc, alto consumo de alimentos antagonistas.

ABSTRACT The objective of the study was to identify the elements from feeding patterns that influence the intake and bioavailability of zinc in stunted children (SC) 1-5 years from Maya communities living in Huehuetenango, Guatemala. This descriptive, cross-sectional study was performed in 138 stunted children aged 1-5 years. It was applied: an inventory of zinc food sources availability, a Food Frequency Questionnaire, a questionnaire about living conditions. anthropometrics measurements and information on food intake habits, and information about disease prevalence. Twenty-eight food sources of zinc were available for consumption (54% low and 7% high zinc bioavailability). The consumption of foods with high bioavailability was low, while the antagonistic foods were high. On average the daily zinc consumption in diet 3 mg (95% CI: 2.65-3.35). Only 14.5% of the children met the zinc requirements, and 2.9% reached the daily recommendation. Episodes of diarrhea and respiratory infections were observed 15 days before the visit, in 29.71% and 45.6% of children, respectively. Most of children have a diet that does not cover the daily requirement.

Vitamins and Minerals in Guatemala´s New Basic Food Basket.

Objectives: To quantify the amount of vitamins and minerals contained in Guatemala´s New Basic Food Basket (BFB) to determine adherence to the Recommended nutrient intake (RNI). Methods: Micronutrients that are deficient in the population were analyze (Vitamin A, Thiamin, Riboflavin, Niacin, Folate, Vitamin B12, Iron, Iodine and Zinc). The RNI, and nutrient excess for each micronutrient were based on the population and their food consumption data from the "National survey on family income and expenditure 2009-2010". The food consumption was analyzed in Households within the urban and rural areas. The Vitamin and Mineral Requirements in Human Nutrition established by FAO/WHO were the gold standard to identify the gap between the RNI and the content of each nutrient in de New BFB. Results: The National BFB and the Rural BFB achieve the recommendations on Thiamin, Niacin, Folate and Iron, the RNI exceed in Vitamin A and Iodine, and is low in Riboflavin, Zinc and Vitamin B12. The Urban BFB meets the RNI in most of the nutrients, except Vitamin A and Iodine, which is exceeded probably because of the Cane Sugar and Salt fortification country policy. Conclusions: The three BFB adhere to the energy and macronutrient recommendations, but they present gaps between the RNI and the food content of micronutrients that are deficient in the population. The excess on Vitamin A in baskets is more than a quarter of the RNI, and the principal food source of this micronutrient is the fortified cane sugar.