Food consumption patterns and trace element intakes of children from the Wosera, Papua New Guinea

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Abstract
Two interactive‐24hr recalls were conducted on 27 (12M, 15F) school children aged 72–96 months and 40 (20M, 20F) school children aged 96–120 months from the Wosera, PNG. Representative local staple foods were collected and analyzed for calcium, trace elements, and phytate. The staples — sago, taro, sweet potato and bananas — were the major food sources of zinc (62%), copper (80%), and iron (48%), whereas green leaves were primary sources of calcium (67%) and manganese (57%). Only 2% of iron and 4% of zinc came from animal products. Mean intakes of calcium, iron, and zinc were below the FAO/WHO recommendations; average intakes of copper were below, and manganese within, the US NRC estimated range for children 7 to 10 years of age. Of the children, 78%, 52%, 94%, 94% and 27% had average calcium, iron, zinc, copper, and manganese intakes, respectively, below the suggested level. Twenty‐five percent of the children had average manganese intakes above the U.S. suggested range. Possible interactions affecting trace element bioavailability in these Wosera diets include a negative effect of high dietary fibre intakes on trace element absorption, and an interaction between manganese intakes and low iron status.