Abstract
The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between the zinc nutritional status and the factors associated with serum zinc concentration in the elderly patients in nursing facility: body mass index (BMI), Activities of Daily Living (ADL), and the level of care. The estimations of the hematological consistent, physical index, and dietary survey were made based on the examination carried out on 14 disabled elderly patients (male=2, female=12, mean age 82 ± 7 years). The obtained results from this study were summarize as follows:
1) Both the BMI <18.5 group and the heavy-care group showed low levels of serum zinc, although the intake of zinc by the subjects were close to the recommended dietary allowance (RDA) level.
2) The significant inverse correlation was obtained between BMI and the level of care of the subjects.
3) The results of multiple regression analysis between the serum zinc concentration and the determined serum ingredients showed the significant correlation of serum zinc concentration against both hemoglobin and hematocrit values.
4) The BMI, ADL, and the level of care of the subjects changed according to the zinc nutritional status.
These results suggest that the actual requirements of zinc of the subjects were different according to BMI, ADL, and the level of care.
