Dietary intakes and plasma concentrations of tocopherols of 2‐6 y old children in Republic of Korea

Abstract

To determine dietary intakes and plasma concentrations of tocopherols and to evaluate vitamin E status of Korean children, three consecutive 24-h food recalls and fasting blood samples were obtained from healthy children (n=131, 66 girls and 65 boys), aged 2–6 y, living in Kwangju, Republic of Korea. Twenty-one subjects were aged 2 y; 25, 3 y; 31, 4 y; 32, 5 y; and 22, 6 y. Dietary kcal, total fat, monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fat, but not saturated fat, were significantly different (P<0.05) among the age groups, but not by gender. Alpha-tocopherol intakes, but not gamma- and delta-tocopherol, for the 3 y age group were significantly different (P<0.05) from those of other groups. Sixty-seven percent consumed less than the Adequate Intakes for vitamin E of the Republic of Korea. Seventy-six percent of the subjects had alpha-tocopherol intakes less than the US/Canadian Estimated Average Requirements for vitamin E. Plasma alpha-tocopherol concentrations, but not gamma- or delta- tocopherol, were significantly higher (P<0.05) for the 2 y group as compared to other age groups; plasma tocopherol concentrations were similar by gender. Two-thirds of the subjects had plasma alpha-tocopherol concentrations less than 12 μmol/L, which is indicative of vitamin E inadequacy. Many of these Korean children had inadequate vitamin E status. Supported by the University of Nebraska Agricultural Research Division.