Summary
The average toddler is only getting 27% of their reference nutrient intake of vitamin D from their foods; fewer than 1 in 10 are taking any kind of vitamin supplement 1.
This is a cause of concern because vitamin D plays a critical role in bone mineralisation and calcium absorption – deficiency can cause muscle weakness, rickets and bone deformities 2.
The Department of Health (DoH) recommends that babies under 1 year should take a daily vitamin D supplement between 8.5 to 10 micrograms while children aged one to four years should take a 10 microgram supplement3.
