Information About Vitamins, Minerals And Children

1. Introduction

Every day we hear and read about vitamins and minerals that help health, give energy, provide stimulation...

But what is it? the vitamins, minerals and trace elements?

• The vitamins they are organic substances that must be offered to the organism in small quantities from the environment, because either they are not synthesized or their synthesis rate is reduced. Vitamins are complex compounds, which do not belong to one group of compounds but differ greatly from each other. Their role is mainly catalytic and they play an important role in nutrition by contributing to the metabolism of other nutrients.
• The metals they make up 4-5% of the total body weight. Some such as calcium, sodium, potassium, magnesium are required in large amounts and are called macronutrients, while other elements that are needed in smaller amounts are called trace elements. Minerals are obtained through food. Today, due to the multi-year cultivation of the soils, over-cultivation and insecticides, foods are very poor in minerals, with the consequence that the body does not receive a sufficient amount of minerals.

Nutritionists, and other specialist scientists after numerous and long-term researches, composed the pyramid of the figure that shows the correct diet. We need to organize our diet so that we consume as much as possible foods from the base of the pyramid and less from the top.

Fats, Sweets

Milk, Yogurt, Cheese, Meat. Fish, Eggs, Beans

Vegetables Fruits

Bread, Cereal, Rice, Pasta.

2. Recommended Daily Dose (RDA)- RDA European Union for Children

Recommended Daily Intake is the average amount of vitamins or minerals that the human body needs to receive daily. The Recommended Daily Dose differs from age to age because the needs of the body are also different.

According to the European Union and the report of the Scientific Committee on Food, S.H.D. for children from 7-10 years old are:

Vitamin B1 0.8 mg

Vitamin B2 1.2 mg

Niacin 13 mg

Vitamin B6 1.1mg

Folic Acid 150 µg

Vitamin B12 1 µg

Vitamin C 30 mg

Vitamin D      200 IU

Calcium 550 mg

Phosphorus 450 mg

Iron 5.9 mg

Zinc 7 mg

Selenium 25 µg

Copper 0.7 mg

3. Are today's children fed right? Are they getting the necessary vitamins, minerals and trace elements from their diet?

They are at high risk of vitamin and mineral deficiencies. Young children have high nutritional needs relative to their bodies, but often do not eat much or have no appetite. In contrast, school-aged children usually have large appetites, but they have free choice because they eat many meals outside the home. Their choices are heavily influenced by advertising and fashion. This is particularly worrying because their knowledge of nutrition is limited.

In an epidemiological survey carried out in France, which is famous for proper and good nutrition, it showed that a large part of the population cannot satisfy its requirements according to the S.H.D. in iron, zinc, vitamin B1, vitamin B6, vitamin C, vitamin A and vitamin E.

In another study done in America on children 2 to 10 years old, it showed that over 50% of the children received calcium, vitamin B6 and zinc well below the S.H.D.

It is necessary for the child to learn to eat properly from an early age, because the eating habits that exist during childhood are difficult to change during adolescence and adulthood.

A lot of kids today, don't eat breakfast, eat a lot of snacks and don't eat every day fruit and vegetables. Milk has in many cases been replaced by soft drinks, which results in low calcium intake in a large number of children.

The amounts taken in essential nutrients for the development of the body such as vitamin A, B2, B12, D, E as well as calcium and magnesium, seem to be much smaller in children who systematically do not eat breakfast. The best way for the body to receive the necessary vitamins, minerals and trace elements for its development is a proper and planned diet.

However, the fact that parents and children are busy and foods with low nutritional value do not allow children to receive all the nutrients they need.

4. Nutritional hazards in children

In addition to the unhealthy diet and skipping meals outlined above, children are not eating properly and this is evidenced by:

A. A large nutritional study found that 91% of children aged 6 to 11 did not eat the recommended minimum of 5 servings of fruit and vegetables per day. Educating parents and children about nutrition is an important intervention in the fight against bad eating habits.

B. Study of food patterns in elementary school children found that 40% children do not eat vegetables on a consistent basis, except for potatoes or tomato sauce.

C. Epidemiological study of dietary intakes of children aged 2 to 10 years found that more than 50% had inadequate intakes of essential nutrients such as iron, calcium, vitamin B6, zinc and magnesium.

D. A pediatric study measuring calcium intake found that 30% children under the age of 11 consumed calcium levels well below the RDA. This was attributed to reduced milk consumption and increased soft drink intake.

Considering these findings, several points should be noted:

A) Fruits and vegetables are not only important sources of vitamins and minerals, but also major sources of fiber. According to researchers, the less fiber is included in a child's diet, the greater the likelihood of high levels of fat and fatty acids.

B) Inadequate calcium intake in adolescents, even preadolescents, may predispose women to a high risk of osteoporosis.

C) Diseases resulting from dietary deficiencies have been replaced by diseases resulting from dietary excess and imbalance—behaviors that begin in adolescence.

5. Adolescents and nutrition

Adolescents, because they are on the verge of growth, need diets of better quality and greater quantity compared to those of children and adults. Studies have shown that teenagers get far less than their daily needs of many essential vitamins and minerals from their food. Vitamin A, vitamin C, folate, vitamin B, vitamin B2, all of which are necessary for cell growth, are not taken in the required amounts. As well as vitamin E, zinc and magnesium which are also essential in maintaining growth. Iron is also an element that teenagers, especially girls, do not get enough of.

6. Children and sports

Children who play sports are often deficient in many nutrients. Depending on the nature and frequency of training, doctors also recommend different required dosage. Proteins, carbohydrates and fats represent 12.62 and 28% respectively of the daily energy needed by the child. Food supplements with vitamins and minerals are also recommended. Possible vitamins that are deficient in athletes are B1, B2, B6, B9, B12, C and D. The amounts of minerals needed daily are 10mg iron, 5mg zinc and 1mg copper.

7. Vitamins and minerals contained in Centrum Jr. and their sources.

• Vitamin A: It helps maintain healthy skin, develop healthy teeth, bones, hair, nails and vision.
  Sources: Liver, butter, kidneys, carrots, cheese.
• B Vitamin Complex: Necessary for the conversion of food into energy. They take part in the metabolic processes for the development of the organism.
  Sources: Liver, eggs, milk, meat, nuts, green vegetables, cereals.
• Vitamin C: It has an antioxidant effect. It helps to fight colds, to maintain healthy bones, healthy gums, teeth and blood vessels. It also helps in the absorption of iron from food.
  Sources: Fruits, especially citrus fruits, green vegetables.
• Vitamin D: It helps the healthy development of teeth and bones especially in children. It contributes to the absorption of calcium and the metabolism of phosphorus.
  Sources: Fish oils (eg cod oil), fish, eggs, butter.
• Vitamin E: Helps protect tissues and the immune system.
  Sources: Nuts, spinach, wheat.
• Folic Acid: Necessary for the development of the nervous system in fetuses. It plays an important role in the growth and reproduction of cells, especially red blood cells.
  Sources: Green vegetables, liver, kidneys, asparagus.
• Calcium, Phosphorus: In combination with vitamin D, they help maintain and develop strong bones and teeth.
  Sources: Cheese. yogurt, milk, fish, flour, meat, poultry.
• Iron:  Necessary for the production of red blood cells and blood hemoglobin.
  Sources: Liver, kidney, red meat, eggs, spinach, cereals.
• Magnesium: Important for the development of the organism. It helps in the proper functioning of the nervous system and muscles.
  Sources: Nuts, bread, vegetables, seafood.
• Potassium: Necessary for the proper functioning of the nerves and heart beat.
  Sources: Meat, fruits and vegetables.
• Zinc: It is found on all webs. Essential for a healthy reproductive and immune system.
  Sources: Oysters, meat, dairy products, green vegetables.
• Selenium: Antioxidant action. Essential for a healthy liver.
  Sources: Offal, meat, fish, cereals.
• Copper: Necessary for iron metabolism.
  Sources: Liver, seafood, nuts.