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Association between serum zinc levels and basic physical functioning: secondary data analysis of NHANES 2011-14
Jen-Tzer Gau1, Bhakti Chavan2, Yang Li3
1Department of Primary Care, Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine (HCOM), Ohio University, Athens, OH, 45701, USA. gau@ohio.edu.
BMC Nutrition
|October 11, 2021
Summary
Serum zinc levels impact physical function differently in older adults based on sex and education. Higher zinc is linked to better function in men, while middle levels may increase difficulty in women and those with lower education.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology
- Nutritional Science
- Public Health
Background:
- Serum zinc (Zn) levels are associated with functional status in older adults.
- The influence of sociodemographic factors on this association requires further investigation.
- This study examines serum Zn and physical functioning in a US older adult population.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between serum zinc levels and physical functioning difficulty.
- To determine if sociodemographic characteristics modify the association between serum zinc and physical functioning.
- To analyze interactions between sex, education, and serum zinc on physical function.
Main Methods:
- Cross-sectional study using data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys (2011-2014).
- Participants aged 50 years and older (n=1136) were analyzed.
- Serum zinc levels were categorized into tertiles; physical functioning difficulty was self-reported.
Main Results:
- Significant interactions were found between sex and serum Zn (P=0.028) and education and serum Zn (P=0.001).
- Among men, higher serum Zn was associated with lower odds of physical functioning difficulty.
- Among women, middle serum Zn levels were associated with higher odds of difficulty, unlike men.
Conclusions:
- Sex and educational attainment significantly interact with serum zinc levels.
- These interactions influence basic physical functioning difficulty in older adults.
- Findings highlight the nuanced role of zinc in aging and physical function.
