The study was the work of researchers from the University of California Davis School of Medicine and University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry. They analyzed data on more than 10,000 children and teens 2-17 who participated in the 1999-2004 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey.

 

The study found that among kids and teens in excellent health, 37 percent took vitamins. Oppositely, among kids in fair or poor health due to less healthy nutrition, less physical activity, higher obesity rates and less access to health care, only about 28 percent took vitamins and minerals.

 

“Our study indicates that children and adolescents who may face the greatest risks for VM [vitamin and mineral] deficiencies, such as those with less healthy nutrition and activity patterns, greater obesity, lower income, lower food security, poorer health, and lower health care access, use VM supplements the least,” said study author Dr. Ulfat Shaikh, an assistant professor of pediatrics at the University of California Davis School of Medicine and pediatrician at UC Davis Children's Hospital.

 

Currently, the American Academy of Pediatrics does not recommend vitamins for most children over the age of one. Exceptions are kids with chronic diseases, eating disorders and certain other conditions. The recommendation spans from cases of overuse or poisoning with supplements, which led to vomiting, or to more serious problems such as kidney or liver damage.