Abstract

This study was intended to examine the zinc status of free-living adult women living in the Taegu region. Zine intake of 102 female subjects was measured by food frequency method for 3 consecutive days. Urinary zine was assessed from urine samples collected fir twenty four hours. Average dietary zinc intake of adult female subjects using food record was 5.9+/-1.8 mg which was 49% of Korean RDA. When zine intake by frequency method was higher than by food record. Average urinary zine intake by frequency method was higher than that by food record. Thus, it appeared that zinc intake by frequency method was higher than that by food record. Average urinary zinc excretion of 102 adult female subjects was 0.28+/-0.16 mg, which belonged to marginal zinc deficiency range. Fifty nine of 102 subjects showed marginal zinc deficiency as assessed by urinary zinc excretion. If we compare the zinc status of adult female subjects by age group, zinc intake in the 50s was significantly higher than any other age groups. However, there were no significant differences in zinc status according to BMI groups and BMI groups. Significant correlations were found between zinc intake and energy, protein, carbohydrate and fat intake. Based on dietary zinc intake and urinary zinc, we concluded that zinc status of adult female living in the Taegu region is marginally deficient.

• Keywords: urinary zinc; dietary zinc intake; marginal zinc deficiency; zinc status