According to a recent study carried out by researchers at the University of California, teenagers and children who confront with the greatest risk of nutritional deficiencies are the least likely to eat enough fruits and vegetables or to take vitamins from their diet. At the same time, the researchers found that children who did have a healthy diet, rich in milk, fiber and low in fat and cholesterol, were also more likely to take minerals and vitamin supplements.

 

The study also found that those who used vitamins and minerals the least tended to have poor diets, with low vegetable intake, low milk intake and low fiber intake. They also faced food insecurity and had poor access to health care.

For the study, the researchers analysed data from a National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey gathered from 1999 to 2004.

 

According to the recommendations of the American Academy of Pediatrics, parents should not give minerals and vitamin supplements to their healthy children aged 1 or older if they consume a varied and healthy diet. Vitamins are recommended only for certain groups of children, including those with chronic diseases, eating disorders, problems absorbing nutrients or liver disease, or obese children in weight-loss programs.

 

“In contrast to what we expected to find, children and adolescents with healthier nutrition, more active lifestyles, greater food security and greater health care access were more likely to use vitamin and mineral supplements,” the researchers concluded. They warned that the findings indicate that families with children that may need these supplements have limited financial resources and therefore unable to afford these vitamins.