Abstract
Nutrition has been known as a predominant factor associated with stunting. However, some studies have discovered a genetic contribution in calcium absorption that will affect growth, known as the VDR gene. The aim of this study was to assess the association between VDR gene polymorphism and dietary intake towards height-for-age z-score (HAZ) of elementary school children in Malang District, East Java. This study analyzed the baseline of a randomized trial in East Java, Indonesia. School children aged 8–10 years old (n = 142) were included in this study. Energy, protein, calcium, and vitamin D intakes were obtained using 4-day 24-h dietary recalls. Two SNPs located in the promoter region of VDR gene were selected (rs11568820 and rs4516035) and analyzed using Real-Time PCR. The result showed a significant correlation between energy and protein intake with HAZ of the children (p = 0.030 and p = 0.016, respectively). The association between VDR gene and HAZ was not found (p > 0.05). Adjusted by other factors, protein intake was significantly correlated with HAZ (β = 0.034, 95% CI 0.015–0.052, p < 0.001, adj. R2 = 0.089). The children in our study had a favorable VDR gene genotype, however the effect of VDR gene promoter activity might not be revealed due to very low vitamin D and calcium intake to stimulate intestinal calcium absorption which in turn affects HAZ.
Highlights
In developing countries, childhood stunting remains as a major public health problem.The prevalence of stunting among children aged 5–12 years old in Indonesia was 23.6% and classified as a high public health problem [1,2]
Stunted children have inadequate dietary protein intake and low serum amino acids as compared to their non-stunted counterparts [6]. In developing countries such as Indonesia, dietary protein intake is mainly obtained from plant-based sources, which are deficient in certain amino acids such as lysine and tryptophan [7]
Our study found that there was no significant difference between Vitamin D Receptor (VDR) gene polymorphism and height-for-age z-score (HAZ) of the children
Summary
Childhood stunting remains as a major public health problem.The prevalence of stunting among children aged 5–12 years old in Indonesia was 23.6% and classified as a high public health problem [1,2]. Stunted children have inadequate dietary protein intake and low serum amino acids as compared to their non-stunted counterparts [6]. In developing countries such as Indonesia, dietary protein intake is mainly obtained from plant-based sources, which are deficient in certain amino acids such as lysine and tryptophan [7]. Micronutrient intake, such as calcium and vitamin D play an important role in growth of the children. Calcium is needed for skeletal calcium retention during growth, while vitamin D is needed for the body to absorb calcium and maintain serum calcium in a normal state to promote bone mineralization [8,9]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
