Facts & Statistics

1 in 6 U.S. children aged 2–8 years (17.4%) had a diagnosed mental, behavioral, or developmental disorder. (1)

Around 45% of deaths among children under 5 years of age are linked to undernutrition. (2)

Children who have obesity are more likely to have: high blood pressure, high cholesterol, increased risk for diabetes, asthma, sleep apnea, joint and muscle problems, fatty liver disease, gallstones and digestive disorders. Childhood obesity is also related to: anxiety, depression,

low self-esteem, lower self-reported quality of life and bullying. (3-12)

Multivitamin

Pediatricians may recommend a daily multivitamin or mineral supplement for:

Kids who aren't eating regular, well-balanced meals made from fresh, whole foods
Finicky eaters who simply aren't eating enough
Kids with chronic medical conditions such as asthma or digestive problems, especially if they're taking medications. (Be sure to talk with your child's doctor before starting a supplement if your child is on medication.)
Kids eating a lot of fast food, convenience food, and processed food
Kids on a vegetarian or a vegan diet (they may need an iron supplement), a dairy-free diet (they may need a calcium supplement), or other restricted diet
Kids who drink a lot of carbonated sodas, which can leach vitamins and minerals from their bodies (19)

Vitamin B

Vitamin B1 (thiamine)

Important for healthy muscles and nerves, as well as for breaking down carbohydrates (such as rice, bread, pasta, fruit and vegetables) so they can be used as energy for active bodies.

Vitamin B2 (riboflavin)

Involved in red blood cell formation, energy production, growth, digestion, vitamin B6 activation and the creation of Vitamin B3. Red blood cells have the important job of carrying oxygen to all parts of our bodies.

Vitamin B3 (niacin or niacinamide)

Needed by the body to convert carbohydrates and fats into energy. It also helps maintain healthy skin, nervous system function and the health of little tummies.

Vitamin B5 (pantothenic acid)

Necessary for the body to metabolise proteins (such as meat, fish, lentils, eggs), carbohydrates and fats, as well as for the production of red blood cells and certain hormones.

Vitamin B6 (pyridoxine)

Essential for the healthy functioning of the nervous system. Vitamin B6 is necessary for the production of some brain chemicals including serotonin and is therefore an essential nutrient in the balance of mental processes and may possibly have an effect on mood.

Vitamin B7 (biotin)

Plays a role in the metabolism of some amino acids, cholesterol and certain fatty acids. It also helps to maintain healthy hair, skin and nails.

Vitamin B9 (folic acid)

Folic acid is the manufactured form of folate that occurs naturally in our food. It is needed to form red blood cells and is especially important in pregnancy, when it helps to ensure proper development of a baby’s nervous system, as well as healthy DNA production and cell growth.

Vitamin B12 (cyanocobalamin)

Necessary for brain and nervous system function, red blood cell formation and energy production. It has a close relationship with folate, as both vitamins depend on each other to work properly. (18)

Calcium

The body uses the mineral calcium to build strong bones — a process that's all but complete by the end of the teen years. Bone calcium begins to decrease in young adulthood, and progressive loss of bone happens as we age, particularly in women.

Teens, especially girls, whose diets don't provide the nutrients to build bones to their maximum potential are at greater risk of developing the bone disease osteoporosis, which increases the risk of fractures from weakened bones.

Younger kids and babies who don't get enough calcium and vitamin D (which aids in calcium absorption) are at increased risk for rickets. Rickets is a bone-softening disease that causes severe bowing of the legs, poor growth, and sometimes muscle pain and weakness.

Calcium also plays an important part in making sure that muscles and nerves work properly, and in the release of hormones and enzymes. So if blood calcium levels are low, the body takes calcium from the bones to help these functions. (20)

Vitamin D

In addition to its well-known benefits for bone and muscle health, vitamin D can help regulate babies’ immune and respiratory function.

The role of vitamin D in building and maintaining bone density in children is also indicated by the prevalence of fractures, or bone breaks. It is estimated that fractures account for up to 12% of pediatric injuries. (13,14) Fortunately, vitamin D from the diet or supplementation decreases the risk of fracture, while promoting healthy motor development in infants and toddlers. (15,16)

Researchers have found that children with Autism, disruptive disorders, and Bipolar Disorder are more likely to have severe Vitamin D deficiencies. Children with Psychotic symptoms are found to have the lowest Vitamin D levels. Addressing Vitamin D deficiencies may be one way of reducing the risk for psychiatric disorders in children. (17)

Magnesium

Magnesium plays a vital part in a huge number of the body’s enzymatic processes, making it one of the most essential minerals for your body.

Ensuring a child has the correct level of magnesium is particularly beneficial in helping with sleep, mood, concentration, energy levels, bone and teeth health, blood sugar levels, bowel regulation, immune system, digestion and absorption of other essential nutrients such as calcium and vitamin D.

Other common concerns can also be linked to a lack of magnesium in children, including the following symptoms:
- Muscle weakness and cramps
- Poor sleep
- Tiredness
- Apathy and low mood
- Memory problems
- Decreased attention span and poor concentration (21)

1. Cree RA, Bitsko RH, Robinson LR, Holbrook JR, Danielson ML, Smith DS, Kaminski JW, Kenney MK, Peacock G. Health care, family, and community factors associated with mental, behavioral, and developmental disorders and poverty among children aged 2–8 years — United States, 2016. MMWR, 2018;67(5):1377-1383.

2.Fact sheets - Malnutrition (who.int)

3.Cote AT, Harris KC, Panagiotopoulos C, et al. Childhood obesity and cardiovascular dysfunction. J Am Coll Cardiol. 2013;62(15):1309–1319.

4.Lloyd LJ, Langley-Evans SC, McMullen S. Childhood obesity and risk of the adult metabolic syndrome: a systematic review. Int J Obes (Lond). 2012;36(1):1–11

5.Bacha F, Gidding SS. Cardiac abnormalities in youth with obesity and type 2 diabetes. Curr Diab Rep. 2016;16(7):62. doi: 10.1007/s11892-016-0750-6.

6.Mohanan S, Tapp H, McWilliams A, Dulin M. Obesity and asthma: pathophysiology and implications for diagnosis and management in primary care. Exp Biol Med (Maywood). 2014;239(11):1531–40.

7.Narang I, Mathew JL. Childhood obesity and obstructive sleep apnea. J Nutr Metab. 2012; doi: 10.1155/2012/134202.

8.Pollock NK. Childhood obesity, bone development, and cardiometabolic risk factors. Mol Cell Endocrinol. 2015;410:52-63. doi: 10.1016/j.mce.2015.03.016.

9.Africa JA, Newton KP, Schwimmer JB. Lifestyle interventions including nutrition, exercise, and supplements for nonalcoholic fatty liver disease in children. Dig Dis Sci. 2016;61(5):1375–1386.

10.Morrison KM, Shin S, Tarnopolsky M, et al. Association of depression and health related quality of life with body composition in children and youth with obesity. Journal of Affective Disorders 2015;172:18–23.

11.Halfon N, Kandyce L, Slusser W. Associations between obesity and comorbid mental health, developmental, and physical health conditions in a nationally representative sample of US children aged 10 to 17. Academic Pediatrics. 2013;13.1:6–13.

12.Beck AR. Psychosocial aspects of obesity. NASN Sch Nurse. 2016;31(1):23–27.

13.Clark EM, et al. J Bone Miner Res. 2006. 21(9): p. 1489-1495.

14.Gallagher SS, et al. Am J Public Health. 1984. 74(12): p. 1340-1347.

15. Anderson LN, et al. Am J Epidemiol. 2017. 185(12): p. 1255-1262.

16. Wicklow B, et al. Phys Occup Ther Pediatr. 2016. 36(3): p. 330-342.

17.https://www.beatalewismd.com/blog/vitamin-d-and-adolescent-mental-health

18.What Are the Benefits of Vitamin B for Kids? - Cenovis Australia

19.Kids' Vitamins and Minerals: Top 6 Nutritional Needs & Vitamin Tips (webmd.com)

20. Calcium and Your Child - Johns Hopkins All Children's Hospital

21. https://betteryou.com/blogs/health-hub/magnesium-supplements-for-kids