The general objective of this study is to determine the effect of the daily consumption of zinc-fortified water provided by the LSF-filter on zinc status and diarrhea rates in school age children from rural areas characterized by a high risk of zinc deficiency and by elevated stunting prevalence.

A double-blind efficacy study will be carried out over 4 months in school age children enrolled in a primary school equipped with a water pump, in the rural area of the commune of Natitingou, Benin. Participating children will be randomly assigned to one of two groups of intervention or control. On a daily basis, all children will consume a defined quantity of pump-water outside of meals. The water offered to children in the first group of intervention will be previously filtered and zinc-fortified by the LSF-filter; the children in the second group will receive water that has been filtered only. A nutrition survey will provide an indication of dietary zinc intake. The effect of enriched water consumption on children's zinc status will be evaluated by analyzing the concentration of zinc in serum at baseline, midpoint and endpoint of the intervention. Diarrhea rates will be monitored by recording episodes of diarrhea.

Inclusion Criteria:

• School aged children enrolled in primary school and regularly attending class

Exclusion Criteria:

• Severe anemia (Hb < 7 g/dl)
• Consumption of a supplement or dietary supplement containing zinc
• Use of drugs that affect the metabolism of zinc
• Suffering from a chronic disease affecting the metabolism of zinc