Photo by cafemama
Two new studies show that millions of U.S. children have disturbingly low vitamin D levels, increasing their risk of heart disease, diabetes, bone problems, and other illnesses. About 7.6 million children have Vitamin D levels so low they could be considered deficient, while an additional 50.8 million have higher levels, but still low enough to be insufficient. Doctors are extremely concerned.
The researchers say low levels could be the result of many things: children spending more time watching television and playing video games instead of going outside, covering up and using sunscreen when they do go outdoors (sunscreen block's the sun's vitamin D), and drinking more soda and less milk.
Because a vitamin D deficiency is so potentially serious, health experts are urging parents to ask their pediatrician to check their kid's vitamin D levels. To up your child's levels experts recommend vitamin D supplements, more sun, more milk, foods containing vitamin D, and foods fortified with vitamin D like breads and cereals.
Do you know if your toddler is getting enough vitamin D? Does he drink milk? Get out in the sun?
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Comments 13
And probably due to many who give their children WATER rather than milk that has vitamin D in it. Water is certainly healthy, but shouldn't replace the 2-3 cups of milk that they should have a day. Even if it's 2% or less. They NEED the vitamin D. It concerns me that many refuse to give their children milk or some substitute. Even if a child is breast fed (which I do believe is best when it the mother & child can do it), once they wean, they need (cow's) milk, or goat's milk or soy milk or something. I think we are confusing our 30 pound 2 y/o with people who have suffered obesity for decades. Many think that milk will make them FAT and that isn't true. JMHO.
We live in a part of the country that doesnt get as much sunlight as others, and my daughter does not drink milk. She takes a vit D suppliment, 1000 IU's a day. We have her levels tested once a year.
As a Floridian it seems totally crazy to me that any kid couldn't get enough natural sunlight-but I know that's my own bias and veiwpoint getting in the way- but it still seems soooo odd to me- my kids are outside everyday! Beach, pool, biking, hiking, walking the dog, playing in the yard, helping dad or grandpa- and we drink a ton of milk, though we have just switched to 1 & 2% but we all drink it with breakfast and most nights for dinner. I have a lot of worries but thankfully I guess lack of Vit. D isn't one of them....
You have to find a balance i think. If we are going to be outside less than 10-15 min i don't put sunscreen on so she can get vit D. If we are going to be out in the sun for longer than that i put it on to protect her from sunburn/damage. When i take her out without sunscreen try to make sure its in the morning or evening not in the midday when the suns is the strongest. My DD also drinks 2 cups of milk EVERY day. So i am not really worried about her not having enough vit D.
im assuming my kids' levels are fine since all they drink is milk and water. no juice or soda or anything. i put sunscreen on them when we are going to be outside for awhile in the direct sun but if we are just going to the car and then the store they are getting little bits of sun without sunscreen here and there.
Kids do NOT need milk to get vitamin D. Kids need to get outside more and eat some of the many many healthy foods that are rich in vitamin D.
My daughter's vitamin D levels are perfectly fine, and she CAN'T drink cow's milk (or goat's or any other animals except for humans for that matter). She gets all her nutrition from the healthy foods she eats and whatever she's lacking she takes supplements for. Of course we do live in SW Florida and she's outside constantly so maybe that helps!
My kids don't drink milk. Not because they don't like it but because I can't afford to keep that much milk in the house. They'd be going throuh a gallon or more a day. They get it in their cereal and that's it. But they spend all day outside and, no, they don't wear sunblock (usually...I make them put it on if it is super sunny and 90+ degrees out). I'm sure they get tons of viatamin D. Probably not so much in the winter, though. I'll have to work on that. My kids are very healthy.
First of all, drinking milk is not a good way to get vitamin D and neither are the supplements! Your body has an extemely hard time processing the vitamin from those sources.
Your best bet is to take the kids outside and let them go without sunscreen! Watch them and use it if they are getting burned, but don't bother too much with it otherwise.
We do not give our son milk. We occasionally offer him OJ fortified with Vitamin D and calcium and also let him play outside.