Ene-Obong Henrietta N, Odoh Ifeoma F, Ikwuagwu Ogbonnaya E
Department of Home Science and Nutrition, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Enugu State, Nigeria.
J Health Popul Nutr. 2003 Mar;21(1):18-25.
The study was undertaken to determine the intake of vitamin A and C and plasma concentrations of these vitamins among in-school adolescents. The factors affecting the vitamin status of these adolescents were also determined. Data for this report were obtained from a cross-sectional survey of 600 in-school adolescents in Nsukka local government area (LGA) of Enugu State, Nigeria. Ninety and 45 of the adolescents were randomly selected for determining plasma concentrations of vitamin A and C and intake of these vitamins respectively. Dietary assessment was done using a three-day weighed food intake method. Venous blood samples were collected and used for determining plasma vitamin A using the trifluoroacetic acid (TFA) method, while plasma vitamin C was determined by the thiourea method. Values obtained were matched against standards. The intake of vitamin A by all the adolescents was adequate (126-137% of recommended intake), while the intake of vitamin C was inadequate (51-91% of recommended intake). The mean intake of vitamin C was higher among males (23.7 +/- 0.71-27.3 +/- 8.0) than among females (15.3 +/- 2.8-19.5 +/- 5.1). Despite the adequate intake of vitamin A, 40% of the male and 32% of the female adolescents had low plasma concentrations of the vitamin (< 20 microg/dL). On the other hand, concentrations of plasma vitamin C were low among about 47% of these adolescents. Using multiple regression analysis, the two most important variables influencing vitamin A status were household size (b = -0.629; p < 0.0 1) and nutrition knowledge (b = -1.372; p < 0.01), while for vitamin C status, these were household size (b = -0.110; p = 0.05) and age (b = 0.226; p < 0.05). The daytime students had a significantly (p < 0.05) better vitamin A and C status than the boarders. The prevalence of vitamin A and C deficiencies among the adolescents may be more than estimated due to inadequate intake and/or poor bioavailability. This may pose a serious health risk for adolescents. There is, therefore, a need for adequate nutrition education and awareness about healthy lifestyles among Nigerian adolescents.
开展这项研究是为了确定在校青少年维生素A和C的摄入量以及这些维生素的血浆浓度。还确定了影响这些青少年维生素状况的因素。本报告的数据来自对尼日利亚埃努古州Nsukka地方政府辖区600名在校青少年的横断面调查。分别随机选取90名和45名青少年测定血浆维生素A和C的浓度以及这些维生素的摄入量。采用三日称重食物摄入法进行膳食评估。采集静脉血样，使用三氟乙酸（TFA）法测定血浆维生素A，同时用硫脲法测定血浆维生素C。将获得的值与标准值进行比对。所有青少年的维生素A摄入量充足（为推荐摄入量的126 - 137%），而维生素C的摄入量不足（为推荐摄入量的51 - 91%）。男性青少年维生素C的平均摄入量（23.7±0.71 - 27.3±8.0）高于女性青少年（15.3±2.8 - 19.5±5.1）。尽管维生素A摄入量充足，但40%的男性青少年和32%的女性青少年血浆中该维生素的浓度较低（<20微克/分升）。另一方面，约47%的这些青少年血浆维生素C浓度较低。通过多元回归分析，影响维生素A状况的两个最重要变量是家庭规模（b = -0.629；p < 0.01）和营养知识（b = -1.372；p < 0.01），而对于维生素C状况，这些变量是家庭规模（b = -0.110；p = 0.05）和年龄（b = 0.226；p < 0.05）。日间学生的维生素A和C状况明显（p < 0.05）优于寄宿学生。由于摄入不足和/或生物利用度差，青少年中维生素A和C缺乏症的患病率可能高于估计值。这可能给青少年带来严重的健康风险。因此，尼日利亚青少年需要接受充分的营养教育并提高对健康生活方式的认识。
