Analysis of the Effect of Zinc Consumption on the Growth and Development of School Age Children

Zinc is an essential mineral for the health of school-age children even though the body requires only a small amount of it. Children are among those at high risk of zinc deficiency. The aim of this study is to find out the impact of zinc consumption on the growth of school-age children. This research method uses a literature review design by searching for some articles that are relevant to the topic taken to obtain information, then analyzed and presented in a narrative form. The results show that parents who lack knowledge about the importance of zinc for health and are less attentive to this, then children may be deficient in zinc intake. As a result, it affects the child's height, weight, and brain development. When children consume zinc on a regular basis, it can support their growth, effectively deal with stunting, prevent adverse effects on their temperament, maintain the immune system, and synergistically lower blood sugar levels in obese children. In conclusion, there is a positive influence that supports the growth of the child if the need for zinc is met from food as well as supplements and a negative influence when the child consumes less zinc.