Children and vitamin D deficiency
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EmailAre children getting enough of the “sunshine vitamin?”
Vitamin D is a crucial vitamin for the growth and development of children. As the winter days get shorter and the nights grow longer, children spend less time in the natural sunlight outside which helps the body produce vitamin D. Recent research has found that many children and adolescents are vitamin D deficient or insufficient.
There has been increased interest in vitamin D recently and its role in the prevention of many chronic diseases, including cardiovascular disease, diabetes, hypertension and various types of cancer. Vitamin D also plays an important role in bone health. Vitamin D facilitates the absorption of calcium and phosphorus and helps in the deposition of these minerals in bones and teeth, which makes bones stronger and healthier. Vitamin D also builds up the immune system of children and aids in the regulation of their cell growth.
There are several factors which can contribute to deficiency. Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin that occurs in some animal products. Vitamin D is also produced when ultraviolet rays from the sun shine on the skin and trigger vitamin D metabolism. Unfortunately, most parts of Michigan do not receive enough sunshine, even during the warmer months of the year for people to obtain enough sun light exposure to meet vitamin D needs. Even in the summer when sunlight hours are longer, the use of sunscreen blocks the production of vitamin D through the skin. Not many foods contain Vitamin D naturally. Children who are selective eaters or who drink little milk are at risk of not consuming enough Vitamin D.
What can be done to prevent Vitamin D Deficiency?
Consumption of foods high in vitamin D should be encouraged. Some of these foods include fatty fish such as salmon, tuna and mackerel, fortified milk products and other fortified foods such as breakfast cereal. Unfortunately, it is difficult to obtain sufficient levels of vitamin D from natural food sources alone.
According to the CDC breast milk alone does not provide for all of a baby’s Vitamin D needs so breastfed babies need to be supplemented with 400 IU of vitamin D each day. Infant formulas are fortified with Vitamin D so fully formula fed infants do not need supplementation. As babies begin to consume more solid foods continue to encourage consumption of Vitamin D rich foods and fortified foods.
Children and adolescents who have limited sun light exposure, darker skin tones, excess body fat and are living in areas of higher altitudes are at higher risk for deficiency and should consider supplementation. Consider talking to your child’s health care provider for more information. Additional resources are available at the National Institutes of Health Office Fact Sheet, Vitamin D. Michigan State University Extension offers a variety nutrition and food related programs at no cost to help you build healthier habits for your family.
