Vitamin D supports bone health and muscle function throughout childhood and adolescence. Children need sufficient vitamin D levels to promote normal bone growth and mineralisation.1
Low levels of vitamin D in children are becoming more common. Factors that may lead to low levels of vitamin D in children include:
- Having an indoor lifestyle e.g. playing video games rather than playing outdoors
- Sun-avoidance practices
- Breastfed babies with other risk factors for low vitamin D levels3
- Babies born to mothers who have low levels of vitamin D are also likely to have low vitamin D levels2