Zinc intake and sources in the US adult population: 1976-1980.

OBJECTIVE: To determine levels of intake and food sources of zinc in 1976-80 in US adults between the ages of 19 and 74. METHODS: Dietary data from 24-hour recalls collected in the Second National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey were analyzed. Levels of zinc intake were compared between demographic subgroups using analysis of variance. The contribution of individual foods to overall zinc consumed was also estimated. RESULTS: Mean daily intakes (+/- SEM) were 15.5 mg +/- 0.4 and 9.8 mg +/- 0.2 in white men and women, respectively. Mean daily intake estimates in black men and women (12.3 mg +/- 0.8 and 7.8 mg +/- 0.3, respectively) were significantly lower. Lower intakes were observed in women versus men, in older (65 to 74 years) versus younger (19 to 34 years) age groups, and among people with lower versus higher education and income levels. Lower zinc intakes in women and older persons could be mainly attributed to lower overall energy intake compared with gender and age counterparts. However, lower intakes in blacks and persons with lower education or income levels were not explained by differences in energy intake and may be attributed to differences in food selections. Meat and milk products contributed the majority of zinc in recalled diets, accounting for 56 and 60% of total zinc intake in blacks and whites, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Levels and sources of zinc intake in 1976-80 were higher than in more recent national surveys, suggesting that zinc intakes may be declining. Population groups more likely to have lower intakes were women, older adults, blacks, and those with lower levels of education and higher poverty levels.

Nutrient supplements contribute to the dietary intake of middle- and older-aged adult residents of Beaver Dam, Wisconsin.

Intake of macronutrients and micronutrients was estimated from a diet history questionnaire in a population-based sample of persons (n = 2152), 43-86 y of age. Men and women 65 y of age or older consumed less protein, fat, cholesterol, niacin, riboflavin, calcium, iron, zinc and lycopene than their middle-aged counterparts. After including nutrient intake from supplements, age differences in intake were no longer significant for zinc in women or for niacin and iron in men. After further adjusting for energy intake, only protein, cholesterol, and lycopene mean intakes were lower in older compared with middle-aged men and women. Regular use of supplements was most prevalent among older men and women (40 and 48%, respectively). Supplement use was greater in the current time period compared with retrospective reports of supplement use 10 y before interview. The impact of supplement intake on median values of intake was greatest in women, particularly for vitamins A, C and E, riboflavin and calcium. The high prevalence of supplement use emphasizes the importance of considering this source of nutrients in future investigations in which dietary intake is measured.

Dietary evaluation of outpatients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Protein-calorie malnutrition is prevalent among individuals with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and suboptimal body weight has been associated with increased morbidity and mortality. Pulmonary function, anthropometric measurements, and dietary intake were evaluated in 64 outpatients with stable COPD to assess interrelationships of those parameters. Those individuals with body weights less than 75% of standard for height, age, and sex had the greatest degree of airway obstruction, poorest lung diffusing capacity, and greatest loss of body fat and muscle mass. Contrary to what had been anticipated, calorie and protein intake levels were highest in the less than 75% of standard body weight group, decreased as relative body weight increased, and were lowest in the greater than 105% of standard body weight group. Those results indicate that caloric needs increase as COPD progresses. Intake levels of calcium, phosphorus, iron, vitamin A, thiamin, riboflavin, niacin, and vitamin C were adequate in terms of the RDAs and were not related to relative body weight.