According to a recent article in The Conversation, the general comment is made that “the children most likely to be given vitamin supplements were the ones least likely to need them”.
This comment was based on the results of a large American survey done in 2009.
In my view, the nutritional intake of many children has gone downhill since 2009, especially here in Australia. This is a result of the quality of our produce caused by soil nutrient deficiencies and aggressive junk food marketing by (mostly) US based companies. This marketing is firmly aimed at children and makes a mockery of industry self-regulation.
The academics claim that the use of supplements reflects the parent’s anxiety about children’s eating habits, rather than any real nutritional deficiencies.
There might be an element of truth in that observation, but it’s much more complex than that.
Children grow (remember “growing pains”? I do!) in spurts. Those growth spurts require huge energy (as in food) input to support them. If that energy isn’t supplied, it’s taken from other places, resulting in a moody, irritable and unhappy child who sleeps poorly and loses interest in things generally.
Recognizing these aspects of growth is important, and a supplement at that stage is a logical option.
Nevertheless, we must ensure that our children appreciate the importance of sensible food options, whereby the junk aspect is an occasional treat and not the normal pathway to nutrition.
We know that key behaviours that really make a difference to nutrition are avoiding snack foods in favour of fruit, vegetables or dairy food, sticking to just water or milk for drinks, and keeping fast foods and confectionery as occasional treats.
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