According to a report in the October issue of Archives of Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine most U.S. adults, including 57 percent of women and 47 percent of men take dietary supplements. The supplements use ought to be considered in estimating kids' nutrient intake, write the researchers.
Researchers studied the U.S. government's latest report on dietary supplement use by kids and teens from national health surveys conducted from 1999 to 2002. The results show that nearly 32 percent of kids and teens used dietary supplements.
While nutrients through diet are considered the best for children; however, many physicians recommend supplements for certain children at risk of deficiency.
The research also found that white children aged 4-8 from wealthier, non smoking families were the most likely to use dietary supplements. Also, the supplement-eating group of kids tended to spend less time than other kids watching TV and other recreational activities.
"Dietary Reference Intakes and Dietary Guidelines for Americans provide recommended nutrient intakes and advice on food choices that promote health and reduce the risk of disease."
"To truly assess the nutrient status and estimate the potential health risks of U.S. children, we must include nutrient intakes from dietary supplements as well as from food," research concludes.
