Question: Are children missing out on important nutrients that should be in their diet?
According to the 2004 Canadian Community Health Survey on nutrition, many kids get failing grades when it comes to following Canada's Food Guide. Seven out of 10 children aged four to eight don't eat the recommended daily minimum five servings of vegetables and fruit -- a habit that's likely to shortchange their diet of folate (a B vitamin), vitamins C and A, potassium and magnesium.
The survey findings also suggest that children don't get enough calcium and vitamin D, key nutrients for building strong bones and teeth. More than one-third of kids aged four to nine don't get the daily recommended two servings of milk products. The statistics get worse as kids get older: By ages 10 to 16, 61 per cent of boys and 83 per cent of girls don't get the recommended minimum three servings of milk a day.
When you add up the obstacles that can prevent kids from getting enough nutrients -- picky eating, food allergies, vegetarian diets, hectic schedules that leave little time for balanced meals -- there is an argument for adding a multivitamin to your child's daily routine.
Question: Are multivitamins for children safe?
While multivitamin supplements are generally safe for healthy children, they can be toxic if taken in large amounts. To prevent young children from getting too much of any one nutrient, always choose a formula made for kids. Treat multivitamins like any other medication: keep them out of reach of children.
And some kids may be getting more nutrients than you think. Many foods that kids eat -- ready-to-eat breakfast cereals, instant oatmeal, fruit juices, soy beverages, yogurt and energy bars -- are fortified with vitamins and minerals. So it is important for parents to look at other sources of added nutrients their child might be getting before opting for a multivitamin.
Question: Which children should take a multivitamin?
Some children and teenagers will benefit from a daily supplement. If your child is a picky eater who does not eat at least one daily serving of meat and alternatives (meat, poultry, fish, eggs, legumes, soy), a multivitamin with added iron is a good idea.
Kids who are allergic to certain foods may also benefit from a multivitamin. Those with a milk allergy or multiple food allergies are at increased risk of not meeting daily targets for calcium, vitamin D, vitamin E, riboflavin (B2) and niacin (B3).
There's some evidence to suggest that a multivitamin might do more than simply ensure that children get the nutrients missing from their diets. A recent review of 13 studies investigating the influence of a multivitamin and mineral supplement on intelligence in children found that most studies reported a positive effect, especially in kids whose diets were low in vitamins and minerals.
Question: What's the difference between all of these children's multivitamins?
Children's multivitamins -- formulated for kids aged two to 12 -- differ from adult's not only in their lower nutrient doses, but also in their form, ranging from chewable tablets to gummy bears to liquid drops. Some formulas contain vitamins only, and others are fortified with iron (4 or 5 milligrams) and some have added calcium (125 to 160 mg).
Menstruating girls, vegetarians and children who don't like meat should choose a formula with iron. Iron is important for learning; studies have found that teenage girls who are iron deficient but not anemic, don't perform as well academically compared to those who have sufficient iron stores.
During the teen years, daily requirements for most vitamins and minerals increase to match -- and in some cases exceed -- adult levels. That's when they should switch to an adult formula.
Question: Are there any other supplements kids might need?
For children, aged 9 to 13, daily calcium requirements (1,300 mg) translate into four milk product servings per day. If your child's diet lacks calcium, he'll need to take a separate calcium supplement. Older kids can't rely on a multivitamin supplement to provide enough calcium since most brands contain no more than 160 milligrams of the mineral.
I think it's important for parents to remember that multivitamins - or calcium for that matter - don't replace a healthy diet. It's still important to continue to offer children healthy meals and snacks, even picky eaters.
