Zinc intake of the US population: Findings from the third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 1988-1994

National survey data for 29,103 examinees in the third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey were used to estimate mean and percentile dist ributions of dietary and total zinc intakes based on 24-h dietary recalls a nd vitamin/supplement use. Mean daily total intakes ranged from 5.5 mg in n on-breast-feeding infants to 13 mg in adults and were higher in adolescent and adult males than in females (P < 0.01). Mean total zinc intakes (22 mg) were similar to 10 mg higher in pregnant and lactating females than in non pregnant, nonlactating females of the same age. Mean total zinc intakes wer e 0.7 mg higher in adolescents (11.1 mg) and 2.5-3.5 mg higher in adults (1 3 mg) compared with mean dietary intakes, indicating the average contributi on of supplements to total zinc intake, Mean total zinc intakes were signif icantly higher in non-Hispanic whites than in non-Hispanic blacks (P < 0.01 ) and Mexican Americans (P < 0.01) for men and women aged 51-70 y and great er than or equal to 71 y due to higher zinc supplement use, The prevalence of zinc-containing supplements use ranged from 0.1% in infants to 20.5% in adults. "Adequate" zinc intake in this survey population was 55.6% based on total intakes of >77% of the 1989 recommended dietary allowance. Young chi ldren aged 1-3 y, adolescent females aged 12-19 y and persons aged greater than or equal to 71 y were at the greatest risk of inadequate zinc intakes.