Dietary intake, zincemia and cupremia of Cameroonian schoolchildren of Ngali II.

ABSTRACT

The present study is aimed at investigating the dietary intake, zincemia and cupremia of Cameroonian schoolchildren of Ngali II. A total of 211 and 200 schoolchildren aged between 7 and 18 years were recruited during the rainy season and dry season, respectively. Information on dietary intake was collected using 7-day measured food diaries. The zincemia and cupremia of the subjects were determined by atomic absorption spectrophotometry. The energy, nutrient intakes, zincemia and cupremia obtained were compared with reference values. The energy and most nutrient intakes of these schoolchildren were higher in the rainy season than in the dry season. Energy and nutrient intakes were generally insufficient, when compared with reference values in children except zinc, iron, magnesium and vitamin E intakes and in adolescents (except magnesium and vitamin E intakes). The zincemia and cupremia of the subjects were low when compared with standard values.