This study was performed to compare the dietary intake and food sources of zinc (Zn), using a database of Zn composition developed in this study, between elementary schoolchildren in a remote rural area (RA, n=58, 9.9±1.7 yrs) and those in an urban area (UA, n=60, 9.4±1.8 yrs) in Chungnam province in Korea. A dietary survey for three days by food record method was performed. All kinds of foods (n=273) consumed by subjects were collected by aliquot sampling method, and the Zn content of these foods were analyzed by wet technique. The results showed that the daily mean intakes of energy, calcium, iron, and vitamin C from diet in the RA were in the range of 49-88% of the Korean DRI (KDRI), while those in the UA were similar to or greater than the KDRI, except for calcium and iron. The daily mean intake of Zn from the RA diet was 7.0±0.5 mg/d (114.1±8.4% of the KDRI), and 16.0±1.0 mg/d (258.3±16.3% of the KDRI) in that of the UA (p〈0.001). The percentage of dietary intake of Zn less than 2/3 of the KDRI was 19.0% in the RA, in comparison to 1.7% in the UA. Those in the RA consumed Zn from plant foods more often than did those in the UA (p〈0.001). Beef rib stew was the food source with highest Zn amount for the total subjects, followed by beef rib meat, roasted; and beef soup w/seasoned red pepper sauce. These results showed that some children in the RA had poor Zn nutrition based upon low intakes and poor food sources of Zn, while overall, children in the UA had good Zn nutrition. Therefore, those in RAs should have their Zn nutrition improved through government policy and nutrition education.

• 이은미 | Lee, Eun-Mi
• 김선효 | Kim, Sun-Hyo