More Evidence of Vitamin D Deficiency in Kids

October 26, 2009

Dr. Jonathan Mansbach from Harvard Medical School and Children's Hospital in Boston analyzed data on 3,000 children age 1 to 11 and concluded that on average 20% of them do not get enough vitamin D. Findings of deficiency were even higher in Hispanic (80%) and African American (90%) kids.

Vitamin D deficiency is higher in kids with darker skin since the darker skin absorbs less sunlight than lighter skin. The American Academy of Pediatrics has recommended 400 international units of vitamin D per day.  They also conclude that most kids need supplements since they are not spending as much time outdoors as they used to.

Vitamin D is critical for bone health. Learn more from American Bone Health.

The new analysis can be found in the journal Pediatrics.