Many US children Vitamin D deficient

A recent study suggests that as many as 6 million US children are deficient in Vitamin D, with darker skinned children especially at risk. Recent studies in adults point to Vitamin D deficiency as a potential risk factor for heart disease and certain cancers. Vitamin D is primarily produced in the skin by exposure to UV rays from sunlight, with just 10-15 minutes a day being necessary to maintain high levels of the vitamin. So, what's the big deal, right? The kids are always running around outside! There are two reasons why kids are at risk, sunscreen and our climate. How many of us have a daily ritual of lathering our children with sunscreen before going outside in the nice weather? Guilty as charged! Well, sunscreen blocks UV rays, thereby negating any chance of producing the beneficial vitamin. I'm not saying to can the sunscreen, but a few minutes (less than 15) can go a long way! The second problem is our climate here in the Northeast. Most research shows that the amount of sunlight we have is not enough to create a sufficient amount of Vitamin D between November and February (like we needed research to tell us that!).

So, what's a parent to do? Well, to start, I'll point out that the new recommendation by the American Academy of Pediatrics is for 400 I.U. (international units) daily. Most children's multi-vitamins contain that amount, so if you are giving your child a multivitamin, you're off to a good start. If your child is not taking a multi-vitamin, but is eating a well-balanced diet, he or she probably doesn't need a full multi-vitamin and you may be able to go with just a D supplement (or, if they will oblige, cod liver oil - yuck!). You don't have to stop there, though! There are some good food sources of Vitamin D, including salmon, canned tuna, egg yolks, and many dairy products. I should mention that the AAP recommends babies who are strictly breastfed should be supplemented with 400 I.U. daily as well. There are many products available for this purpose at your local pharmacy or health food store.

For some tips on optimizing Vitamin D intake, check out this article: http://health.usnews.com/blogs/on-parenting/2008/10/13/3-ways-to-make-sure-kids-get-their-vitamin-d.html. And, as always, please consult your child's physician if you have any questions.