A study of seasonal trace element intakes and hair trace element concentrations in selected households from the Wosera, Papua New Guinea.

The trace element status of nine households from the Wosera subdistrict of Papua New Guinea was assessed. Individual weighed three-day dietary intakes were carried out in April during the hungry season when yams were not eaten and in July when yams were available. Representative staple food items analyzed 'as eaten' for energy, protein, Ca, Mn, Cu and Zn and mean daily energy and nutrient intakes calculated. Hair samples were also collected in July, washed, and analyzed for Zn, Cu and Mn by INAA. Seasonal differences in energy, protein, Ca, Fe and Mn intakes were related to changes in yam consumption. The Zn status of the male (M) and female (F) adults and children (Ch) was sub-optimal based on low median hair Zn levels (microgram/g): -F = 78, n = 8; M = 108, n = 8; Ch2-4yrs = 79, n = 8; Ch5-10yrs = 94, n = 7 and inadequate intakes of readily available Zn (mean + SD): - April M + F = 7.0 + 1.6 mg/day; July M + F = 8.2 + 1.5 mg/day; less than three percent Zn from animal products. In contrast their Mn status, as indicated by elevated median hair Mn levels (microgram/g) (F = 25.1; M = 26.3; Ch2-4yrs = 21.5; Ch5-10yrs = 15.2) was high, attributed to elevated Mn intakes (April M + F = 11.0 + 2.2 mg/day; July M + F = 7.5 + 1.4 mg/day). Median hair Cu levels (microgram/g) (F = 7.6; M = 7.5; Ch2-4yrs = 8.6; Ch5-10yrs = 7.8) and mean Cu intakes (April M + F = 2.2 + 0.4 mg/day; July M + F = 3.0 + 0.6 mg/day) were within the range noted for persons consuming predominantly plant-based diets.