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As parents, we often wonder whether our kids are getting the nutrients they need. Low nutrient levels are common in children and can be hard to spot. Between picky eating, the demands of school, endless activities, growth spurts and the inevitable run of seasonal bugs, it can be difficult to know why your child isn’t quite their usual self. Amongst the busyness of everyday life, it is worth asking: do kids need multivitamins?
Whole Earth & Sea® Kids Multi helps fill nutrient gaps and support healthy growth and development, immune function, cognition and overall wellbeing. Made with Farm Fresh Factors® organic wholefoods and key nutrients, it’s designed to help kids run, jump and play their way through life.
Do Kids Really Need Multivitamins? Here’s What the Research Says
A nutritious, balanced diet will always be the foundation of good health. Parents may reasonably wonder if supplementing with vitamins and minerals is necessary for children who eat a variety of healthy foods.
Can Kids get Everything they Need from Food Alone?
In theory, yes. In practice, many children don't eat a consistently balanced diet every day. Australian data shows that children frequently fall short on vitamins D, B2, B6 and B12, as well as iron, calcium, magnesium and zinc, particularly in kids over 12 years. In 2022, only 4.3% of children met the recommended daily fruit and vegetable intake, highlighting just how many kids may be missing out on naturally nutrient-dense foods.
Several Factors can Contribute to Low Nutrient Levels in Children:
- Fussy or selective eating.
- Sensitivity to certain tastes, smells and textures leading to food avoidance.
- Food allergies or intolerances which may eliminate entire food groups.
- Vegan or vegetarian diets.
- Increased reliance on convenience and processed foods.
- Increased nutritional need due to rapid growth or high activity levels.
- Nutrient-depleted soils affecting the quality of fresh produce.
A well-formulated multivitamin, particularly for picky eaters or children who struggle to eat a wide variety of foods, can be a practical way to help fill nutrient gaps.
What Nutrients Children Actually Need by Growth Stage
Preschool to adolescence: Consistent growth and development require adequate micronutrients (vitamins and minerals) as well as macronutrients (carbohydrates, protein and fats). A balanced, varied diet during these formative years helps ensure children’s nutrient needs are met.
Adolescence: Commonly occurs from around ages 9-15 in girls and 12-17 in boys. During late childhood and early adolescence, adequate nutrition is crucial, not only to support the physical demands of growth spurts, during which bone mass increases by around 45%, but also to support cognition, immune function and long-term health outcomes into adulthood. Micronutrient needs are at their highest during adolescence, and children are at greatest risk of low iron, calcium, folate and zinc at this life stage.
Common Vitamins and Minerals Missing from Kids’ Diets
Vitamin D supports healthy growth, development and immune function. For a deeper look, read: Do Your Kids Need a Daily Vitamin D Supplement?
Iron helps maintain cognitive function, growth, development and energy production.
Zinc supports immune system function and healthy growth and development.
B-Vitamins and folate support energy production, cognitive function and overall health and wellbeing.
Signs Your Child May Have a Nutrient Gap
Signs of low vitamins and minerals in children may include persistent fatigue, frequent illness, reduced appetite and difficulty concentrating.
It’s also worth keeping in mind that multiple nutrient gaps may occur at once. Recent research shows that children with low iron are often depleted in other micronutrients such as zinc and folate.
Do Multivitamins Support Energy, Cognitive Function and Immunity?
Multivitamins vary in the nutrients they contain, their forms and doses. Look for one that includes key nutrients such as iron and activated B-vitamins for energy and cognition, as well as vitamins C, D3 and zinc for immune support.
Who May Benefit Most from a Daily Multivitamin
- Children with restrictive diets, picky eaters and those with limited dietary variety.
- Vegetarian or plant-based eaters.
- Children going through periods of rapid growth and development.
- Children with reduced food intake due to poor appetite or recovering from illness.
When Should I Give My Child a Multivitamin?
Many parents find it easiest to give a multivitamin at breakfast. Taking it with food aids absorption of fat-soluble vitamins such as D and E, supports tolerability and helps establish a consistent daily routine.
A high-quality multivitamin should complement a healthy, balanced diet to support children’s growth, development and overall wellbeing.
If you are concerned about your child’s nutrient levels or symptoms, speak to a health professional. In some cases, low nutrient levels or deficiencies may require therapeutic doses higher than what a multivitamin provides.
So, Do Kids Need Multivitamins?
For children eating a balanced and varied diet, they may not always be necessary. However, for picky eaters, those with restricted diets or kids struggling to meet their nutritional needs during periods of rapid growth and development, a quality multivitamin may provide valuable support.
Whole Earth & Sea® Kids Multi is formulated specifically for children, free from sugar, artificial colours and flavours, and designed to support healthy growth and development, cognition and immune function.
Find out more in the article Boost Your Child’s Health with Whole Earth & Sea® Kids Multi or 5 Reasons to Choose the Healthy Kids Bundle.
Always read the label. Follow the directions for use.
*References available on request.
