SERUM ZINC, COPPER, AND MAGNESIUM LEVELS IN OBESE CHILDREN

Serum zinc, copper and magnesium levels were measured using atomic abs orption spectrophotometry in 41 obese and 41 healthy (control) childre n (between 7 and 11 years of age) who were living in Malatya (Turkey). Serum zinc levels of obese children (mean value 102.40+/-2.78 mu g/dL ) were found to be significantly higher than those of the control grou p (mean value 80.49+/-2.98 mu g/dL; P < 0.01). Serum copper concentrat ions were also found to be significantly higher in obese children (mea n value 132.34+/-1.79 mu g/dL) than the healthy controls (mean value 1 07.58+/-1.62 mu g/dL; P < 0.01). On the other hand, serum magnesium le vels were found to be significantly lower in obese children (mean valu e 1.78+/-0.03 mg/dL) than in the healthy children (mean value 2.14+/-0 .04 mg/dL; P < 0.01).