Zinc and copper intakes and their major food sources for older adults in the 1994-96 continuing survey of food intakes by individuals (CSFII)

Zinc and copper are two trace minerals essential for important biochemical functions and necessary for maintaining health throughout life. Several nat ional food surveys revealed marginally to moderately low contents of both n utrients in the typical American diet. Using data from the respondents grea ter than or equal to 60 y old in the 1994-96 Continuing Survey of Food Inta kes by Individuals (CSFII), we examined average dietary intakes of zinc, co pper and relevant dietary factors, primary dietary contributors of zinc and copper; and Zn:Cu ratios of the primary dietary contributors. Data were an alyzed with the use of a chi (2) test, Student's t test and multivariate an alysis of covariance with Bonferroni correction. The daily zinc intake was 12 +/- 6.4 mg for men and 8.0 +/- 4.0 mg for women (P < 0.05); the daily co pper intake was 1.3 +/- 0.7 mg for men and 1.0 +/- 0.5 mg for women (P < 0. 05). Foods such as beef, ground beef, legumes, poultry, ready-to-eat and ho t cereals, and pork constituted the major sources of zinc. Copper consumpti on was contributed mainly by legumes, potato and potato products, nuts and seeds, and beef. The less-than-recommended intakes of zinc and copper by th e elderly were likely associated with age, low income and less education. T he intakes of zinc and copper could be improved by more frequent consumptio n of food sources rich in these minerals. An inherent limitation of this st udy was the use of the 24-h dietary recall method, which may underestimate usual dietary intakes. Nonetheless, this study affirms the need for assessm ent of zinc and copper nutriture in the elderly.