Positive Health Online

Abstract

BATES and colleagues, Human Nutrition Research, Elsie Widdowson Laboratory, Cambridge UK, chris,bates@mrc-hnr.cam.ac.uk, reported on the Selenium status and associated factors in a British National Diet and Nutrition Survey amongst young people aged 4 – 18 years .

Background

The objective of the study was to provide normative reference values, and to investigate socio-demographic factors influencing Selenium status in young people.

Methodology

Selenium was measured in fasting blood samples in nearly 3000 young people aged 4 – 18 years living in mainland Britain .

Results

No evidence of severe selenium deficiency was uncovered, nor of selenium toxicity. Selenium concentration in red blood cells was significantly higher in older girls . Selenium concentrations were higher in more socially advantaged children and in black and Asian children . Selenium concentrations were lower in children whose parents were smokers although not in children who themselves smoked .

Conclusion

The observed associations between selenium status and age, gender, race, social class, and parental smoking suggest that selenium concentrations are determined by a variety of complex factors that need to be controlled for when assessing selenium status in young people.

References

Bates CJ, Thane CW, Prentice A, Delves HT, Gregory J, et al. Selenium status and associated factors in a British National Diet and Nutrition Survey: young people aged 4 – 18 y. European Journal of Clinical Nutrition 56 (9): 873-881, Sep 2002.