Reased (r = 20.62 and 20.60, respectively; P,0.01) (Figure 3). The absorbable zinc content of the national food supplies was associated with the percentage of energy and zinc obtained from animal source foods and the P:Zn molar ratio, as well as total energy availability. The percent of total dietary zinc available from animal source foods in the food MedChemExpress 113-79-1 supply was negatively correlated with the estimated prevalence of inadequate zinc intake (r = 20.90, P,0.01) (Figure 4a). The mean percentages of dietary zinc obtained from animal source foods in countries identified as having at low, moderate and high estimated prevalence of inadequate zinc intake were 51.2 , 27.1 and 12.1 , respectively. Total dietary phytate and the P:Zn molar ratio were positively correlated with the risk of inadequate zinc intake (r = 0.62 and 0.92, respectively; P,0.01) (Figure 4b). With just one exception each, all countries with P:Zn molar ratio ,12 were considered to be at low risk for inadequate zinc intakeResultsRegional and global means (6 SD), weighted by national population sizes, of the percentage of the mean physiological requirement for zinc that is available in the regional food supply and the estimated prevalence of inadequate zinc intake for the period 2003?007 are presented in Table 1. Also included are data on the daily per capita energy, zinc, phytate, absorbable zinc contents of the regional food supplies and the percent of energy and zinc derived from animal source foods. Data are first presented for high-income countries, and then for other regions in ascending order according to the estimated prevalence of inadequate zinc intake. Based on this model, the global food supply provides ,138 of the physiological requirement for absorbed zinc, weighted by national population size. An estimated 17.3 of the global population is at risk of inadequate zinc intake. The regional estimated prevalence of inadequate zinc intake ranged from 7.5 in high-income regions to 30 in South Asia. Within regions, individual countries had a fairly consistentPrevalence of Inadequate Zinc Intake and StuntingFigure 6. Relationship between the estimated prevalence of inadequate zinc intake and the prevalence of childhood stunting. Stunting data (low height-for-age) are for children less than five years of age in138 low- and middle-income countries. The solid line represents the line of identity (intercept = 0, slope = 1). The dashed line represents the best-fit regression line. Dotted lines demarcate prevalence data associated with low, moderate and high risk of inadequate zinc intake, based on the composite 1662274 index of both TA-01 variables. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0050568.g(estimated prevalence ,15 ) and all countries with a P:Zn molar ratio .18 were considered to be at high risk of inadequate zinc intake (estimated prevalence .25 ).Composition of National Food Supplies and Stunting PrevalenceThe estimated prevalence of inadequate zinc intake was significantly correlated with the prevalence of stunting (low height-for-age) in children under five years of age (r = 0.48, P,0.001); although there was considerable variability about the best-fit line (Figure 6). 84 of 141 (59.6 ) of low- and middleincome countries had a stunting prevalence .20 . Using the composite index of both indicators (estimated prevalence of inadequate zinc intake .25 and prevalence of stunting .20 ), 32 of these aforementioned countries were identified as being at high-risk of inadequate zinc intake (Figure 7.Reased (r = 20.62 and 20.60, respectively; P,0.01) (Figure 3). The absorbable zinc content of the national food supplies was associated with the percentage of energy and zinc obtained from animal source foods and the P:Zn molar ratio, as well as total energy availability. The percent of total dietary zinc available from animal source foods in the food supply was negatively correlated with the estimated prevalence of inadequate zinc intake (r = 20.90, P,0.01) (Figure 4a). The mean percentages of dietary zinc obtained from animal source foods in countries identified as having at low, moderate and high estimated prevalence of inadequate zinc intake were 51.2 , 27.1 and 12.1 , respectively. Total dietary phytate and the P:Zn molar ratio were positively correlated with the risk of inadequate zinc intake (r = 0.62 and 0.92, respectively; P,0.01) (Figure 4b). With just one exception each, all countries with P:Zn molar ratio ,12 were considered to be at low risk for inadequate zinc intakeResultsRegional and global means (6 SD), weighted by national population sizes, of the percentage of the mean physiological requirement for zinc that is available in the regional food supply and the estimated prevalence of inadequate zinc intake for the period 2003?007 are presented in Table 1. Also included are data on the daily per capita energy, zinc, phytate, absorbable zinc contents of the regional food supplies and the percent of energy and zinc derived from animal source foods. Data are first presented for high-income countries, and then for other regions in ascending order according to the estimated prevalence of inadequate zinc intake. Based on this model, the global food supply provides ,138 of the physiological requirement for absorbed zinc, weighted by national population size. An estimated 17.3 of the global population is at risk of inadequate zinc intake. The regional estimated prevalence of inadequate zinc intake ranged from 7.5 in high-income regions to 30 in South Asia. Within regions, individual countries had a fairly consistentPrevalence of Inadequate Zinc Intake and StuntingFigure 6. Relationship between the estimated prevalence of inadequate zinc intake and the prevalence of childhood stunting. Stunting data (low height-for-age) are for children less than five years of age in138 low- and middle-income countries. The solid line represents the line of identity (intercept = 0, slope = 1). The dashed line represents the best-fit regression line. Dotted lines demarcate prevalence data associated with low, moderate and high risk of inadequate zinc intake, based on the composite 1662274 index of both variables. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0050568.g(estimated prevalence ,15 ) and all countries with a P:Zn molar ratio .18 were considered to be at high risk of inadequate zinc intake (estimated prevalence .25 ).Composition of National Food Supplies and Stunting PrevalenceThe estimated prevalence of inadequate zinc intake was significantly correlated with the prevalence of stunting (low height-for-age) in children under five years of age (r = 0.48, P,0.001); although there was considerable variability about the best-fit line (Figure 6). 84 of 141 (59.6 ) of low- and middleincome countries had a stunting prevalence .20 . Using the composite index of both indicators (estimated prevalence of inadequate zinc intake .25 and prevalence of stunting .20 ), 32 of these aforementioned countries were identified as being at high-risk of inadequate zinc intake (Figure 7.
