الفهرس 
ContentsOnly 14 pages are availabe for public view
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Abstract
Zinc is an essential trace element with a crucial role during periods of development and growth. The importance of zinc during adolescence lies in its role in tissue synthesis to meet the increase in body size. The deficiency of zinc in its early phase, even if mild, is manifested by growth retardation. In developing countries, micro-nutrient deficiencies including zinc is a common problem, because the main source of zinc is meat and flesh food which are expensive foods not provided in adequate quantities to a large proportion of the population. Micronutrient deficiencies do not cause an isolated problem represented in linear growth retardation, but the scope of the problem is extended to affect human functioning in several aspects, like cognitive functions, immune response and other many important aspects of health. Growth retardation resulting from zinc deficiency is fortunately reversible and preventable. In case of diagnosing zinc as being a contributing factor to stunting which is common in developing countries, it may be considered a step forward to find a way to alleviate this problem. The present study was designed to assess the zinc status of some adolescent school children in Alexandria using the dietary clinical and biochemical indicators. The study was conducted in preparatory schools in Alexandria; it comprised 300 adolescents (aged between 11 and 15years) with the two sexes equally represented. All students of the studied population were submitted to the following: . A pre-coded questionnaire was completed for all the adolescents. It included personal data, parents’ education, work status, income and crowding index. . A 24 hour dietary intake recall was completed for every student in details. . Students were clinically examine to evaluate puberty stage, to exclude any sign of acute or chronic diseased, and to detect any sign of zinc deficiency. . Anthropometric assessment; height and weight were accurately measured for each student. . Laboratory investigations ( response rate 61 ) Blood analvsis Blood haemoglobin level was done to 181 of the students whom accepted to give blood samples. The cyanmethaemoglobin method was used. Serum zinc level was done for 126 of the samples, (as all samples with signs of haemolysis were discarded) using the atomic absorption spectrophotometery technique. Food analvsis Food samples were randomly chosen ftom a sub-sample of the students and duplicates of their meals prepared and analyzed to measure its zinc content. .The data collected was analyzed using Epi info version 6. The used measures and tests were arithmetic mean, standard deviation, chi square, student t test ANOV A, linear multiple regression and stepwise analysis. Analvsis of collected data revealed Samole characteristics +The mean age of the adolescents was 12.9::t 1.05 years for girls and 13.8 ::t 0.88 years for boys. The mean age for both sexes was fulfilling the requirements of the study, as it was matching with the age of maximal linear growth during puberty. t About 82 of the sample population belonged to low socioeconomic status, and only 6 were trom the high socioeconomic class. Anthropometric characteristics t Height of the students was more compromised than their weights, which is a picture commonly encountered with chronic malnutrition in children. t The mean height percentile of the students was 19th for females and 16th for males. tThe mean weight percentile was about 23rd for males and 40th for females. t The prevalence of stunting was about 27 according to Z score and 30 according to percentiles, among both sexes combined. tThe prevalence of underweight was about 16 and overweight was 3. Dietarv characteristics t The adequacy of energy was 70 for girls and 66. Dietarv characteristics t The adequacy of energy was 70 for girls and 66. Dietarv characteristics t The adequacy of energy was 70 for girls and 66. for boys, this high deficit energy intake will lead to the use of protein as a source of energy and not for building new tissue. t The percent adequacy of protein was 100 for girls and 115 for boys. tAnimal to total protein intake was about34 for boys and 42 for girls. +Percent of energy trom protein sources was 12. + Adequacy of dietary iron intake was 71 for boys and 61 for girls.