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A study reveals that multivitamins sold in major UK stores contain less than the recommended amount of vitamin D for children.
Experts from the University of Southampton and the University of Oxford examined over 67 children’s multivitamins. The scientists compared the amounts of vitamin D in the products against the recommended amount.
Public Health England advises 400IU of vitamin D per day for children one to four years old. The researchers found that only a third of the multivitamins for children over six months had the recommended amount of vitamin D.
Vitamin D is important for the development and strength of bones. When children lack this nutrient, they become weak and their bones can become deformed.
People can naturally obtain vitamin D from food and sun exposure. However, Dr. Benjamin Jacobs of the Royal College of Paediatrics /ˌpiːdiˈætrɪks/ and Child Health claims that children do not get enough of this nutrient for two reasons. First, a well-balanced UK diet lacks over 90 percent of the recommended amount of vitamin D. Second, children are spending less time outdoors. Thus, parents often use supplements, such as multivitamins, to make up for the nutrients children lack.
According to Dr. Jacobs, the multivitamins examined delude parents who are trying to guard their children against the dangers of vitamin D deficiency. He also called on parents to ensure that their children’s supplements have the right doses.
In response, groups advocating for health supplements argued that it is unrealistic for multivitamins to meet all the nutritional needs of children. A representative explained that supplements should not be expected to replace nutrients from meals.