KidStar Nutrients explores why many children are not meeting their nutritional needs through diet alone, highlighting common vitamin and mineral deficiencies that can impact growth, immunity, and development. This practitioner-focused blog reviews the evidence and outlines how targeted children’s supplements can help bridge nutritional gaps.
KidStar Nutrients are an Canadian company specialising in supplements dedicated to children's unique needs. This blog has been provided by KidStar Nutrients and refers to research published in North America.
We have all heard the statement that you can get all your nutrients from food. But is that always the case, especially when it comes to children’s diets? Emerging research suggests it can be difficult to achieve recommended intakes of many vitamins and minerals from typical dietary patterns alone, particularly for growing children.
Multivitamins Can Help Bridge Nutritional Gaps
Multivitamin and mineral supplements do not replace a healthy diet or compensate for a poor‑quality diet; they are designed to supplement the diet and help fill nutritional gaps where they exist. Everyone, regardless of age, should aim to eat a varied diet rich in vegetables, fruits, high‑quality protein and healthy fats. However, for growing, active children, particularly those who struggle with swallowing capsules or dislike certain tastes, an age‑appropriate multivitamin with minerals in a child‑friendly format (such as liquids, powders or chewables) can offer a practical way to support nutritional intake and improve day‑to‑day compliance.
Food Can’t Always Provide All Nutrients
While a balanced diet remains the foundation of good nutrition, evidence suggests that dietary intake alone may not always meet requirements for all nutrients. The Journal of Nutrition examined dietary intakes of vitamins and minerals from food alone in over 34,000 people. In this analysis, more than 70 percent of children aged one–13 years were not consuming adequate amounts of several nutrients from their diet. The researchers reported that diet alone was not providing optimal nutrient intake, with zinc being a notable exception.
Nutrient Inadequacies in Affluent Communities
A U.S. study in four elementary schools located in higher socio-economic communities found that nutrient consumption from diet alone was often below recommended levels. Up to 45 percent of children were not consuming enough calcium to support optimal bone health. Seven out of ten children had inadequate vitamin D intake—an important nutrient for bone and immune function. In addition, no children met the recommended intake for potassium, vitamin E and vitamin K, which play roles in cardiovascular and overall health.
Similarly, research reported in the Journal of the American College of Nutrition found that dietary intakes of vitamins A, C, D and E, as well as calcium and magnesium, were below basic requirements in many children aged four and older. The authors also observed that no child in their cohort was consuming adequate potassium, concluding that sufficient amounts of several essential vitamins and minerals were not being achieved through food alone.
Science Suggests Supplements May Be Helpful
Across the studies reviewed, authors frequently highlighted that age and gender‑specific multivitamin and mineral supplements can be a useful way to support vitamin and mineral status in children where dietary intake is insufficient. Any decision to use supplements should take into account the child’s overall diet, growth stage and individual needs.
Silent Nutrient Deficiencies
While the signs of a severe nutrient deficiency may be obvious—for example, in some cases of iron deficiency—more subtle shortfalls in nutrient intake can be harder to recognise. Suboptimal amounts of certain nutrients may affect aspects of a child’s physical and cognitive development without parents being aware.
It is not always possible to see that an inadequate intake of bone‑supporting nutrients such as vitamin D and calcium could be associated with reduced bone density over time, or that low intakes of nutrients such as vitamin A and B6 may be linked with changes in immune function. Likewise, marginal intakes of iron, magnesium or essential fatty acids have been associated with changes in energy, mood and behaviour in some studies.
When Food Isn’t Enough: Subpar Foods
Even if a child appears to be eating a healthy diet rich in fruits, vegetables, protein and healthy fats, there are additional factors that can make it challenging to obtain sufficient vitamins and minerals from food alone.
Some foods may be harvested before they are fully ripened, and fruits and vegetables can be grown in soils with varying nutrient content. Transport and storage over long distances and extended periods may further influence the nutrient profile of foods.
Many modern diets also include refined and highly processed foods, which can contain fewer nutrients than their wholefood counterparts. For example, white rice and white flour have had the nutrient‑rich outer layers removed compared with brown rice or whole grains. To compensate, some products are fortified with added vitamins and minerals—such as certain breakfast cereals—but fortification does not always reproduce the full spectrum of nutrients found in minimally processed whole foods.
Increased Needs in Growing Children
Growing children can have increased nutritional requirements. For example, children who are very active or athletic, and those following vegetarian or vegan diets, may have higher needs for particular nutrients. Adolescent girls may also have increased requirements for some nutrients, such as iron. This means many children may benefit from careful consideration of their dietary intake and, where appropriate, additional nutritional support.
Digestion Matters
Unfortunately, children can experience some of the same digestive conditions as adults, including food allergies, intolerances and certain gastrointestinal disorders. These issues can, in some cases, affect digestion and absorption of nutrients from food.
Where digestive concerns are present, it is important that nutritional status is assessed on an individual basis. Under professional guidance, targeted nutritional support—which may include vitamins and minerals, protein supplements, probiotics and essential fatty acids—may be considered to help support overall nutrient intake alongside appropriate clinical care.
References
Foods, Fortificants, and Supplements: Where Do Americans Get Their Nutrients?