Research reveals children’s bone health may be at risk

How much do we really know about our kids’ health and about how to keep them healthy?

Recent research has exposed major gaps in parents’ nutritional knowledge, with facts about bone health – and in particular about vitamin D – simply not widely known.

The study of 1,783 parents, carried out by raisingkids.co.uk in conjunction with Petits Filous, has revealed that while healthy growth and development and tooth decay top parents’ list of concerns for their children, they aren’t clear on how to give them a helping hand.

Most parents understand that calcium is needed to add strength to bones and teeth, and that milk, cheese, yogurts and fromage frais are important sources of this nutrient.
Yet less than half (44 per cent) realise how easy it is to meet their children’s calcium needs through three servings of dairy, or non-dairy alternatives, per day.

And understanding of vitamin D is even poorer.
When asked why vitamin D is important, less than one in ten parents were able to answer that it helps the body to absorb calcium. Most Scottish parents however do know that our bodies can make vitamin D when exposed to sunlight - perhaps because of the distinct lack of it here – but the majority are confused about which foods are sources.

This research comes hot on the heels of the August publication of a new report, entitled Maximising Bone Health – the Role of Vitamin D and lead by dietitian Penny Hunking, in consultation with a number of key professionals.  The report reviews the latest independent scientific evidence on the role of vitamin D and calcium in bone health.

“Up to 90 per cent of children’s bone strength is established by around the age of 18 years old.   It’s therefore essential that parents do all they can in the crucial development years, to give their children the best possible chance of developing healthy, strong bones for later life,” says Penny.

And although parents are aware that sunlight is a major source of vitamin D, the reality is that UVB rays in the UK are only strong enough between April and September, and mainly between the hours of 11am-3pm.  This is exactly when we need to take most care not to overdo sun exposure.  However, covering up the skin and using sunscreen with SPF over 8 have been shown to significantly reduce vitamin D synthesis.

“There is a real need for guidelines on what constitutes ‘safe’ sun exposure.  And with evidence of low vitamin D status in most age groups in the UK, experts are now being lead to believe that sunlight alone may not be enough – we may need to top up our supply through diet,” says Dr Susan Lanham-New.

Unfortunately, this valuable nutrient isn’t naturally provided by many foods.  While we can get small amounts of vitamin D from eggs, liver and other meats, the richest source is oil-rich fish – such as salmon, sardines, tuna, pilchards, herrings and mackerel.  But many children seem to dislike these foods.

“The good news is that some foods are now fortified with vitamin D,” says dietitian Penny Hunking.  “Options include margarine, some breakfast cereals, and some dairy products – such as fromage frais, yogurts, processed cheeses and powdered milks.  And as dairy products also provide calcium, these are an easy way to boost your child’s intake of both of these nutrients.”

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