Study Suggests Kids Who Get Vitamins Don’t Need Them. Should You Stop?

According to a recent study that looked at data for over 10,000 children between the ages of 2 – 17 years old, you are more likely to give a vitamin and mineral supplement to your child if:

• your child is between 2 – 4 years old
• your child is underweight (BMI < 5th percentile)
• your child is in overall good health and has an active lifestyle
• you have good access to healthcare
• your household income is high
• you are a non-Hispanic White

On the other hand, you are less likely to give a vitamin and mineral supplement to your child if:

• your child is overweight (BMI >85h percentile)
• your child’s overall health is generally poor
• you do not have health insurance
• your child rarely drinks milk
• your household income is at or below poverty level
• you are a Mexican American,  or non-Hispanic African American

It is quite easy to draw a conclusion that children who do not really need supplements are actually more likely to be getting them, while those who may benefit from taking supplements are less likely to take them mainly because they are poor and come from a certain racial background. Here is a headline from a recent article “Kids who need vitamin not getting them while those who get them do not need them” which seems to echo the editorial commentary in the journal Archives of Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine where the original article is published.

In my opinion, this is an over-simplification of the real situation. This study was based on the 1994-2004 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) which is claimed to contain nationally representative data on comprehensive dietary supplement use in the United States. Intake of vitamin and mineral supplements in the NHANES database was measured by figuring out if the child had used any of these supplements in the 30 days prior to the interview. Looking at the pattern of vitamin use (or non-use) over just 30 days is not enough to draw a relationship between “health” and “need” of such supplements. The effect of diet and nutritional supplements on health is slow and takes place over the long term. If a child is “healthy” at the time of the interview, and taking supplements, it does not mean that he does not need them. On the same note, if the child is not “healthy” and not taking vitamin supplements, it does not mean that the family cannot afford them. In this regard, I do not agree with the authors of this study on the implications of race and poverty.

While it may be true that if a child is growing up in an affluent family with access to good health care, the parents are well-informed and are able to afford vitamin supplements. However, it is also possible that the child is overweight or not in good health despite the use of multivitamins and regular doctor visits.

In contrast, it may be true that a child growing up in a poor family may not be getting vitamins because they cannot afford them. However, it is also possible that the parents do not simply have the right information to make an informed decision regarding the nutrition and supplements for their children.

Does it mean that you should immediately stop using your current vitamin supplement for your child? Before you jump to such conclusions based on this study, you may want to consider the following -

• While it is always recommended that your child should get all the necessary minerals and vitamins from a balanced diet which includes plenty of fruits and veggies, you should consider using supplements – and continue using them – in certain situations. I have written about them previously in my post 5 Reasons To Consider A Multivitamin Supplement.
• Consult with your doctor, especially if your child is underweight or might be at risk of vitamin deficiency either due to eating habits or a health condition. You may need to switch brands or get a prescription for a pharmaceutical grade multivitamin.
• Continue introducing more fruits and veggies in your child’s diet while keeping him on a good multivitamin supplement.  As long as you do not exceed the recommended dose, or use a mega-vitamin, this should not do any harm. Encourage a good amount of physical activity every day and reduce TV watching and computer games. Keep an eye on his growth pattern and BMI by using a growth chart. Your doctor may advise you to stop or reduce the use of supplements based on the right changes in eating habits, lifestyle and growth patterns.

What is your opinion? Would you do anything differently as a result of this report?

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Tagged as: BMI, Fruits, Growth Chart, Picky Eater, Supplement Use, Toddler Nutrition, Vegetables, Vitamins