Redefining Magnesium Needs: Tailoring Daily Intake Recommendations for Children
Study Title: Setting references for daily intake of micronutrients: A study on magnesium
Abstract Summary:
The study aimed to evaluate the daily magnesium intake recommendations for children based on energy expenditure. Understanding that basal metabolic rate varies by age and sex and that extrapolating values calculated for adults to children due to differences in body weight was the driving force behind this goal.
Methods Used:
The observational study utilized data from the Social Changes, Asthma and Allergy in Latin America (SCAALA) cohort. It included 480 children aged 7 to 11 years with an eutrophic body mass index and adequate growth. The researchers collected dietary intake information from parents or legal guardians of the children through 24-hour recall interviews. The data was analyzed using statistical methods such as the Student t-test, Pearson correlation coefficient, and linear regression.
Summary of Findings:
The study found a significant correlation between energy expenditure and magnesium intake, indicating that metabolic rate is crucial in determining daily magnesium intake for children. The results suggest that metabolic rate can be a reference variable for recommending daily magnesium intake, aiming to prevent deficiencies and adverse effects due to inadequate intake.
This study is crucial for understanding the daily magnesium requirements in children and underscores the importance of considering individual metabolic rates in dietary recommendations.
