Dietary selenium and copper intake by resident undergraduate students of the University of Ghana.

OBJECTIVES To determine and evaluate dietary intake of selenium and copper by resident undergraduate students of the University of Ghana. DESIGN Prospective/comparative study. SETTING The university of Ghana, Legon, Accra. SUBJECT One hundred and fifty undergraduate resident students in five out of seven halls of residence of the University of Ghana. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Pre-tested structure questionnaires were administered to informed students to obtain personal data, intake of selenium, copper and/or multimineral supplements and foods consumed as well as frequency of consumption. A twenty four hour food intake on two non-consecutive days, were used to determine food intake. Selenium and copper levels in the foods identified were determined using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (AAS) and compared to the respective RDAs to assess intake adequacy/inadequacy. RESULTS None of the students interviewed took in selenium or copper supplements, although 2% took in multi-mineral supplements, which contained insignificant levels of selenium and/or copper. In the case of copper, 7.3% (11/150) met 75-100% of the RDA, while 1.3% (2/150) met the RDA in the case of selenium. As many as 15.3% (23/150; in the case of copper) and 83% (123/150; in the case of selenium) did not meet the required intakes. However, 77% (116/150) had excess intake of copper while 15.7% (25/150) took excess selenium. CONCLUSION Due to the importance of these micronutrients and in the face of poor nutritional status, as judged by the few that met the required RDAs as well as excess, there is a need to carry out blood analyses to determine whether the dietary pattern has been translated systemically. If indicated, the University authorities must consider mounting nutritional education to ensure that those deficient take in the required levels while those consuming excess are made to cut down on their intakes, since both deficient and excess status have physiological consequences.