Table 1.

Anthropometry and body composition before and after placebo (control group) or oral zinc supplementation (experimental group) in 62 prepubertal children between 8 and 9 years old of both sexes

Parameter	Water free (%)	p	Fat-free mass (%)	p	Fat mass (%)	p	BMI for age (kg/m2)	p	Phase angle (φ)	p
CG-Before	59.26±3.28	0.0305*	81.13±4.35	0.0080*	18.87±4.35	0.0080*	15.83±1.55	0.0563	5.31±0.64	0.1582
CG-After	58.61±3.40		80.03±4.64		19.97±4.80		16.02±1.80		5.34±0.56
EG-Before	59.23±3.84	0.4979	81.00±5.29	0.3831	19.00±5.29	0.3831	15.92±1.76	0.0005*	5.27±0.58	0.0470*
EG-After	59.10±3.50		80.74±4.85		19.26±4.85		16.33±2.03		5.39±0.65
CG-Before	59.26±3.28	0.7659	81.13±4.35	0.7231	18.87±4.35	0.7231	15.83±1.55	0.8455	5.31±0.64	0.9327
EG-Before	59.23±3.84		81.00±5.29		19.00±5.29		15.92±1.76		5.27±0.58
CG-Before	59.26±3.28	0.8520	81.13±4.35	0.7419	18.87±4.35	0.7419	15.83±1.55	0.4856	5.31±0.64	0.4728
EG-After	59.10±3.50		80.74±4.85		19.26±4.85		16.33±2.03		5.39±0.65
CG-After	58.61±3.40	0.3109	80.03±4.64	0.2166	19.97±4.80	0.2166	16.02±1.80	0.8230	5.34±0.56	0.6469
EG-Before	59.23±3.84		81.00±5.29		19.00±5.29		15.92±1.76		5.27±0.58
CG-After	58.61±3.40	0.5829	80.03±4.64	0.5582	19.97±4.80	0.5582	16.02±1.80	0.6023	5.34±0.56	0.7227
EG-After	59.10±3.50		80.74±4.85		19.26±4.85		16.33±2.03		5.39±0.65

Values are expressed as the means±SD

^*p<0.05.

Paired Student's t-tests were used to compare the data obtained within the control and experimental groups. Unpaired Student’ t-tests was used to compare the data obtained between both control and experimental groups. Control group before (CG-Before) and control group after (CG-After) represent before and after oral placebo administration, respectively. Experimental group before (EG-Before) and experimental group after (EG-After) represent before and after oral zinc supplementation, respectively.