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Prevalence of micronutrient deficiencies among children

Among other factors, micronutrient deficiency causes malnutrition in 178 million children worldwide.26,27

Contrary to popular belief, malnutrition is common not only in developing countries but across developed nations as well. While the primary cause of malnutrition in third-world countries is food shortages, children in the United States and Europe are malnourished due to unhealthy eating habits. Excess consumption of sugary foods and lack of fruit and vegetables in children’s diets inevitably lead to micronutrient deficiency. As a result, the daily intake of fundamental vitamins and minerals like iron, calcium, vitamin D, zinc, and more, is inadequate across the Western World. Already a marginal deficiency of vitamin C and B-vitamins results in decreased physical performance, while a prolonged micronutrient deficiency can substantially hinder children’s physical, cognitive, and immunological development. Given that a suboptimal micronutrient status takes a toll on children’s healthy development, supplementation with vitamins for kids is recommended to support their growth and restore the micronutrient balance. Supradyn Kids can provide nutrients during periods of increased physical and mental effort, illness, and when dietary intake is not optimal.

Micronutient deficiencies occur across the globe

Country

Description

Italy
  • Vitamin D in adolescents9
    • Insufficiency: 32%
    • Deficiency: 50%
    • Severe deficiency: 9%

Russia
  • Iron deficiency10,11
    • High risk in children
  • Zinc deficiency12
    • Reported in children and adolescents
  • Vitamin D deficiency
    • 7–17 years: 53%13
    • 1 month–18 years: 46%14
  • Incidence of goiter (an iodine deficiency disorder)
    • Children: 902/100,00015

Europe
  • France: Prevalence of inadequate vitamin C intake18
    • 7–9 years: 45%
    • 10–14 years: 50%
    • 15–19 years: 59%
  • Zinc intake: inconsistent across countries, with lowest intake in the UK and Netherlands3
    • average zinc intakes are below the RNI for all age groups (4-18 years old)
  • Vitamin D intake4
    • <50% recommended amount
  • Iron, calcium, vitamin D, folate, iodine, zinc inadequately consumed in children aged 0–8 years5

Turkey
  • Prevalence of biochemical deficiencies in children9
    • Riboflavin: 90%
    • Vitamin B6: 83%
    • Vitamin C: 43%
    • Thiamine: 20%
    • Folate: 23%
    • Vitamin E: 22%
    • Zinc: 16%
    • Vitamin A: 12%

Spain
  • Inadequate vitamin C intake
    • 4–12 years: 14%6
    • 13–18 years: 13–15%6
  • Folic acid intake below recommendations in 31% of preschool children8
  • Vitamin B12 intake below recommendations in 3% of preschool children8

Country

Description

Mexico
  • Iron deficiency
    • Children: ~13–26%22
    • <6 years: 24%23
  • Zinc deficiency22
    • <5 years: 28%
    • 5–11 years: 24%
  • Folate deficiency22
    • 1–5 years: 3%22
  • Vitamin B12 deficiency22
    • 1–5 years: 8%
  • Low levels of serum magnesium22
    • 1–11 years: 23%
    • 12–19 years: 37%
  • Low levels of serum copper22
    • 1–11 years: 31%
    • 12–19 years: 14%
  • Vitamin A deficiency23
    • <6 years: 26%
  • Vitamin D inadequacy23
    • Children: 54%
  • Calcium inadequacy24
    • 1–4 years: 26%
    • 5 years – adults: 55–88%

USA

Intake below Estimated Average Requirement:25

  • Vitamin A
    • 2–8 years: 25%
    • 9–13 years: 60–75%
    • 14–18 years: 88–89%
  • Vitamin D
    • 2–18 years: 100%
  • Vitamin B1
    • Males, 9–13 years: 28%
    • Females, 9–13 years: 43%
    • Males, 14–18 years: 56%
    • Females, 14–18 years: 86%
  • Vitamin B2
    • Females, 14–18 years: 23%
  • Vitamin B3
    • Females, 14–18 years: 35%
  • Vitamin B9
    • 2–8 years: 56%
    • 9–18 years: 91–100%
  • Vitamin B6
    • Females, 14–18 years: 39%
  • Vitamin C
    • 9–13 years: 29–30%
    • 14–18 years: 53–61%
  • Calcium
    • 2–8 years: 28%
    • 9–13 years: 63–76%
    • Males, 14–18 years: 53%
    • Females, 14–18 years: 86%
  • Magnesium
    • Males, 9–13 years: 26%
    • Females, 9–13 years: 43%
    • 14–18 years: 79–92%
  • Iron
    • Females, 14–18 years: 52%
  • Zinc
    • Females, 14–18 years: 37%

Brazil
  • Iron deficiency23
    • <6 years: 21%
  • Vitamin A deficiency23
    • <6 years: 17%

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