(P13-076-24) Micronutrient Intake and Metabolic Status Among Children in the US-Affiliated Pacific Region

Objectives: The study examines micronutrient intake, main food sources, and correlate intake with metabolic status among children aged 2-8 years in the US-Affiliated Pacific (USAP) region.

Methods: We evaluated micronutrient intake by regression analysis in 3,529 children, in a cross-sectional cluster sample using two-day dietary records, compared with US dietary recommendations from the Children’s Healthy Living Program. Micronutrient intakes were evaluated for vitamins D (vitD), E (vitE), B6 (vitB6), B12 (vitB12), riboflavin, thiamin, and pantothenic acid (PA), and minerals were iron (Fe), copper (Cu), selenium (Se), calcium (Ca), potassium (K), and phosphorus (P), and compared with US dietary recommendations. Metabolic status was considered as presence of overweight/obesity (OWOB) and acanthosis nigricans (AN), an indicator for insulin resistance.

Results: USAP children mostly met vitamin and mineral intake recommendations, except for vitD (3.1%), vitE (20.7%), Ca (32.8%), and K (29.2%). Children who were OWOB (26.2%) had higher thiamin (1.2 mg ± 0.04) and lower in Se (108.77 µg ± 1.31) than children who were healthy weight (thiamin: 1.17 mg ± 0.03, Se: 110.93 µg ± 0.98). Children with AN (5.5%) had a lower intake of Ca (542.96 mg ± 21.12), Cu (0.89 mg ± 0.05), Fe (11.49 mg ± 0.12), P (950.64 mg ± 16.7), K (1807.81 mg ± 51.12), riboflavin (1.5 mg ± 0.14), vitamins B12 (4.79 µg ± 0.22), D (196.44 IU ± 5.52), and E (4.27 mg ± 0.25) than children without AN (Ca: 608.6 mg ± 12.46, Cu: 0.94 mg ± 0.04, Fe: 11.83 mg ± 0.15, phosphorus: 984.73 mg ± 8.46, potassium: 1944.47 mg ± 41.36, riboflavin: 1.6 mg ± 0.14, vitB12: 5.11 µg ± 0.2, vitD: 208.74 IU ± 3.97, vitE: 4.53 mg ± 0.24). Additionally, children with AN had a higher intake of PA (4.68 mg ± 0.07), and Se (114.2 µg ± 1.48) compared to children without AN (PA: 4.59 mg ± 0.05, Se: 109.87 µg ± 0.97). Milk, white bread, white rice, and water were main food sources of most micronutrients.

Conclusions: Children’s diet generally met micronutrient intake recommendations except for vitD, vitE, Ca, and K. The presence of AN introduced variability in dietary patterns across metabolic status. Adequate micronutrient intake may require public health initiatives to improve growth and development in Pacific children.

Funding Sources: USDA NIFA AFRI, NIH NHLBI, NIH NCI, NIH NIMHD