Abstract
BackgroundAdequate zinc intake is essential for the growth and neurobehavioral development of young children. Zinc deficiency in children is recognized as risk factor for stunting. In Ethiopia, 38% of children under five years of age are stunted. This analysis was conducted to measure dietary zinc intake and to identify its determinants among children 6–35 months of age to design appropriate intervention.MethodsNationally and regionally representative data available from 6752 children 6–35 months of age from the Ethiopian national food consumption survey were analyzed. A multivariate model was used to identify determinants of dietary zinc intake.ResultsWe found low dietary zinc intake among children 6–35 month age. National average dietary zinc intake was 1.74 mg/day. Socio-economic status, maternal education, and maternal age were positively associated with dietary zinc intake, while the number of children under 5 years-of-age in a household was negatively associated with dietary zinc intake (p < 0.0001). Children reportedly sick in the previous 2 weeks were most likely to have low dietary zinc intake (p < 0.0001).ConclusionThe observed low dietary zinc intake in Ethiopian children has a significant association with health status of children, providing evidence for nutrition and health planners to emphasize on promoting consumption of zinc rich foods and preventing morbidity from common infections.
Highlights
Adequate zinc intake is essential for the growth and neurobehavioral development of young children
When zinc rich source foods are not available on a routine diet, zinc deficiency develops over time and persists until changes are made in the diet [2, 3]
Children nutritional status High stunting prevalence was found in the agrarian regions and relatively low stunting prevalence was found in the pastoralist community
Summary
Adequate zinc intake is essential for the growth and neurobehavioral development of young children. Zinc deficiency in children is recognized as risk factor for stunting. In Ethiopia, 38% of children under five years of age are stunted. This analysis was conducted to measure dietary zinc intake and to identify its determinants among children 6–35 months of age to design appropriate intervention. Low dietary zinc intake is the main cause of zinc deficiency [1]. Recent estimates show that17.3% of the world’s and 23.9% of Africa’s population is at risk of zinc deficiency [4] and 26% Sub-Saharan Africa people have inadequate access of zinc [5].
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