Abstract

SHAMAH-LEVY, Teresa; VILLALPANDO, Salvador; JAUREGUI, Alejandra  and  RIVERA, Juan A.. Overview of the nutritional status of selected micronutrients in Mexican children in 2006. Salud pública Méx [online]. 2012, vol.54, n.2, pp.146-151. ISSN 0036-3634.

OBJETIVE: To present an overview of micronutrient status of Mexican children in 2006. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Data on iron, zinc, folate and vitamin B12 deficiencies and low serum copper and magnesium were gathered and critically analyzed from the 2006 National Health and Nutrition Survey. RESULTS: Iron deficiency is still the main nutritional deficiency in children (13%-26%). Zinc deficiency was high in all age groups (≈25%) but reduced 5.6 PP in children <5 y from 1999 to 2006. Folate deficiency was 3.2% and vitamin B12 deficiency 7.7% in children. Low serum magnesium and copper were high (22.6% and 30.6%, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of iron deficiency seems to be lowering, and zinc deficiency has reduced in Mexican children. A high prevalence of copper and magnesium deficiencies warrants further research on their public health implications.

Keywords : iron; folate; zinc; copper; magnesium; micronutrient status; Mexico.

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