Zinc Nutritional Status in Obese Children and Adolescents DILINA DO NASCIMENTO MARREIRO, 1 MAURO FISBERG, 2 AND SILVIA MARIA FRANCISCATO COZZOLINO* , 1 1 Department of Food Science and Experimental Nutrition, School of Pharmacy, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil; and 2 Adolescent Center, Federal University of São Paulo and Nutrition Center, São Marcos University, São Paulo, Brazil Received June 12, 2001; Revised August 6, 2001; Accepted September 10, 2001 ABSTRACT Studies in animals and humans have corroborated that zinc (Zn) metabolism is altered in obesity. The present work intends to evaluate the Zn nutritional status in obese children and adolescents by the determina- tion of some biochemical parameters and analyses of the diets. The inves- tigation was carried out in a group of obese children and adolescents (n = 23) and compared to a control group (n = 21), both between 7 and 14 yr of age. A software analyzed diet information from 3-d food records. Body composition was evaluated by body mass index, bioelectrical imped- ance, and skinfold measurements. Zinc nutritional status was evaluated by Zn determination in plasma, erythrocyte, and 24-h urine, by atomic absorption spectrophotometry (λ = 213.9 nm). Diets consumed by both groups had marginal concentrations of zinc. Zinc concentrations in plasma and erythrocytes were significantly lower in the obese group. Urinary zinc excretion was significantly higher in the same group. The results allowed one to conclude that zinc nutritional status in obese individuals is altered. Index Entries: Zinc; obesity; adolescent nutrition; child nutrition; nutritional status. INTRODUCTION Obesity affects individuals of all ages, but a significant increase has been observed of late among children and adolescents. The pathology is consid- Biological Trace Element Research 107 Vol. 86, 2002 © Copyright 2002 by Humana Press Inc. All rights of any nature, whatsoever, reserved. 0163-4984/02/8602–0107 $14.00 *Author to whom all correspondence and reprint requests should be addressed.