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Published on: October 29, 2021
Zinc-specific food frequency questionnaire
1Program in Nutrition and Dietetics, West Chester University of Pennsylvania, West Chester, PA.
Summary
A new dietary zinc assessment tool (ZAT) accurately estimates zinc intake in college students. This tool helps identify students with potentially low zinc consumption, aiding early intervention for better nutrition.
Area of Science:
- Nutrition Science
- Dietary Assessment
- Public Health Nutrition
Background:
- Zinc is an essential mineral crucial for numerous physiological functions.
- Inadequate zinc intake is a public health concern, particularly among young adults.
- Accurate dietary assessment tools are needed to identify at-risk populations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the validity of a novel dietary zinc assessment tool (ZAT).
- To determine the ZAT's effectiveness in estimating zinc intake among college students.
Main Methods:
- A food frequency questionnaire (ZAT) was administered to university students.
- Participants also completed three-day food records for comparison.
- Zinc intake data from both methods were statistically analyzed.
Main Results:
- The ZAT showed a positive correlation with three-day food records (r=0.33, p<0.001).
- The tool correctly identified 76% of female students with zinc intake below the Recommended Dietary Allowance.
- The study included 171 participants (38 male, 133 female) aged 20.2 ± 1.6 years.
Conclusions:
- The ZAT is a convenient and potentially useful tool for assessing dietary zinc intake.
- It can aid in early identification of suboptimal zinc consumption patterns.
- Further refinements and broader studies are recommended to enhance the ZAT's utility.
