Introduction: Micronutrient deficiencies remain a public health problem in children, within them has found zinc deficiency major cause of morbidity and mortality in developing countries, adequate nutrition is essential for zinc adequate growth, immunocompetence and neurobehavioral development; is insufficient information on the status of zinc in the preschool population which hinders the expansion of interventions for the control of deficiency. Colombia has a deficiency of this micronutrient, considered as a worldwide public health problem of moderate to severe. An assessment of the prevalence and associated determinants can provide data on the risk of zinc deficiency in a population, considering demographic, social and nutritional factors that may predispose to pre-Colombian population suffer this deficit. Methodology: Cross-sectional study that included 4275 children between 1 and 4 years, using data from the National Survey of Nutritional Status (ENSIN 2010). Bivariate and multivariate analyzes were performed to determine positively and negatively associated with zinc deficiency factors. Results: 49. 1% of respondents were taking children with zinc deficiency. Risk factors associated with zinc deficiency were found younger age, low weight and size, live in Atlantic Region, Central Region, National Territories, housing sparsely populated area, belonging to ethnic Afro-Colombian, indigenous ethnic group membership, affiliation in subsidized regime, not be affiliated with any health regimen, uneducated mother, not attending feeding program and severe degree of uncertainty Conclusions: Zinc deficiency in children between 1 and 4 years of age is multifactorial, with a likely reflection of the inequity of the Colombian population, especially the poorest and most vulnerable. Keywords: Zinc, Zinc deficiency, associated factors, children 1 to 4 years, Colombia
