Abstract:
Zinc is an essential micronutrient found in almost every cell in the body.
Nutrient needs are highest during adolescence, surpassed only by needs
during pregnancy and lactation. The aim of this study was to determine the
prevalence of zinc deficiency among adolescents in Ghana and to relate this
with dietary intake of zinc and phytate. A total of 300 adolescents between
ages 13-19 years were recruited from the Greater Accra and Upper East
Regions for the study. Questionnaires were used for background data
collection as well as food frequency intake. Anthropometric measurements
were taken and plasma zinc assessed. A 46% overall prevalence of zinc
deficiency (i.e. Plasma zinc <80pg/dL or <12.3|jmol/L) was detected with
southern subjects having a significantly higher prevalence (51%) than
northern subjects (42%), (P< 0.05). Mean plasma zinc concentration detected
was 81.42 } 26.84 for the south and 82.96 } 16.27 for the north. Males also
had a higher prevalence of zinc deficiency than females though this was not
statistically significant (p<0.05). The highest zinc - containing foods among
the most frequently consumed foods in the north were dry fish
(11.2mg/100g), groundnuts (4.5-4.7mg/100g), millet (4.7mg/100g), whole
maize (3.3mg/100g) and unpolished rice (2mg/100g) and for the south, they
were fish (10.9-ll.3nng/100g), beef (4.1mg/100g), milk (3mg/100g), poultry
(2.8mg/100g) and maize (2.4mg/100g). Highest phytate containing foods
among the most frequently consumed foods were groundnut (546.1-
622.5mg/100g), maize (211.5-608.3mg/100g), millet (587.5mg/100g),
unpolished rice (219.7mg/100g), and green leafy vegetables (146.5mg/100g)
for the north and maize (615mg/100g), cowpea (600mg/100g), and
groundnut (540mg/100g) for the south. The level of zinc deficiency found in
this cohort clearly indicates that zinc deficiency is a public health problem in
Ghana especially among adolescents. The possible contribution of dietary
factors like low intake of zinc and its anti-nutritional factors merits a proper
and broader look as well. An intervention by policy makers in the country may
be necessary.
