Zinc Supplementation Increase Taste Acuity and Body Weight in

Malnourished Children Under Five with Normal Albumin Level

Siti Muslikhah1, Rofida Lathifah1*, Nanda Aulya Ramadhan,1 Bambang Wirjatmadi1,
Merryana Adriani1, Djazuly Chalidyanto1
1
Department of Public Health, Airlangga University, Surabaya, Indonesia

* Corresponding Author: Rofida Lathifah, E-mail: rofida.lathifah-2017@fkm.unair.ac.id,

Phone: +6281233766115

Background
Prevalent of undernourished children under 5 years is still high. Undernourished children prone
to malnutrition. Malnutrition in children inhibited growth and mental development, increased
the risk of infectious disease and death. Zinc is a micronutrient that can affect the sense of taste
on the tongue up to increase appetite and nutrient intake of children.

Materials and methods

This was experimental double blind study. Primary data was taken using simple random
sampling method. The sample was 24 children divided into control and intervention group
equally. Intervention group were given zinc sulphate syrup 0.14% with dose 7 mg (1 teaspoon)
once a night taken before bed everyday for two months. Taste acuity and body weight measured
every month for two months.

Results
There was significant differences in taste acuity and body weight before and after zinc
supplementation in intervention group compared to control both in first month and second
month of supplementation (p=0,000, p=0,000; p=0,000, p=0,000). There was a significant
correlation between increase taste acuity with body weight (p=0.000, r=0,852).

Conclusions
Zinc supplementation in malnourished children with normal albumin level increase the taste
acuity and body weight.

Keywords
Increase Body Weight, Malnourished Children, Taste Acuity, Zinc