Vitamin D in Kids

We've been doing a series on heart disease but this breaking news needs to be mentioned. A study in the current edition of Pediatrics found that 70% of kids in the United States have low levels of vitamin D.

The researchers say, "We expected the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency would be high, but the magnitude of the problem nationwide was shocking."

Falling in line with our discussion on heart disease, the authors note...
"25(OH)D (vitamin D) deficiency is common in the general US pediatric population and is associated with adverse cardiovascular risks."

In other words, kids with low vitamin D are at risk of heart disease as adults. We've been talking about ways to address your concerns if you have heart disease, but this news tells us that we can help our kids by making sure they have adequate vitamin D.

I really like the tone the researchers take here. Let's reduce risk factors for the next generation by getting them out in the sun.