Association between dietary zinc intake and mortality among Chinese adults: findings from 10-year follow-up in the Jiangsu Nutrition Study

European Journal of Nutrition volume 57, pages2839–2846(2018)Cite this article

Abstract

Purpose

Population studies of the association between zinc intake and mortality yield inconsistent findings. Using data from Jiangsu Nutrition Study, we aimed to assess the association between zinc intake and mortality among Chinese adults.

Methods

We prospectively studied 2832 adults aged 20 years and older with a mean follow-up of 9.8 years. At baseline, food intake was measured by 3-day weighed food record (WFR) between September and December in 2002. Death occurrence was assessed in 2012 during a household visit as well as by data linkage with the regional death registry. Hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% CI were calculated using competing risks regression (CVD and cancer mortality) and Cox proportional hazards analysis (all-cause mortality).

Results

During 27,742 person-years of follow-up, there were 184 deaths [63 cancer deaths and 70 cardiovascular disease (CVD) deaths]. Dietary zinc to energy ratio was positively associated with cancer and all-cause mortality. Across quartiles of the zinc to energy ratio from low to high, the HR (95% CI) for all-cause mortality was 1.00, 1.80 (95% CI 1.10–2.95), 1.55 (95% CI 0.96–2.50), and 1.85 (95% CI 1.11–3.07), respectively. Comparing the extreme quartiles of the zinc to energy ratio, the HR for cancer mortality was 2.28 (95% CI 1.03–5.04).

Conclusion

Zinc intake was positively related to all-cause mortality and cancer mortality.

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Acknowledgements

The authors thank the participating regional Centres for Disease Control and Prevention in Jiangsu province, including the Nanjing, Xuzhou, Jiangyin, Taicang, Suining, Jurong, Sihong, and Haimen Centres for their support in data collection.

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Affiliations

  1. Department of Nutrition and Foodborne Disease Prevention, Jiangsu Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Nanjing, China

    Zumin Shi, Shiqi Zhen & Yue Dai

  2. Discipline of Medicine, Adelaide Medical School, University of Adelaide, Level 7, SAHMRI, North Terrace, Adelaide, 5005, Australia

    Zumin Shi & Anne W. Taylor

  3. Department of Human Nutrition, The University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand

    Anna Chu & Samir Samman

  4. Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO), P.O. Box 10041, Adelaide, SA, 5000, Australia

    Malcolm Riley

  5. School of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, 2006, Australia

    Samir Samman

Authors
  1. Zumin Shi
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  2. Anna Chu
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  3. Shiqi Zhen
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Correspondence to Zumin Shi.

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Shi, Z., Chu, A., Zhen, S. et al. Association between dietary zinc intake and mortality among Chinese adults: findings from 10-year follow-up in the Jiangsu Nutrition Study. Eur J Nutr 57, 2839–2846 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00394-017-1551-7

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Keywords

  • Zinc intake
  • Mortality
  • Chinese
  • Cohort study