HHS HealthBeat (November 16, 2012)

Supplementing teens

From the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, I’m Ira Dreyfuss with HHS HealthBeat.

Burgers, pizza and soda are not a wholesome diet, although lots of teens might wish it. Fruits and vegetables, fish and dairy products are part of a wholesome diet, but lots of teens don’t like them. So researchers have been looking at ways to make up at least part of what’s missing, by vitamin and mineral supplements.

At the National Institutes of Health, Regan Bailey examined national survey data. She says teens are the least likely people to take supplements. She says supplements could help them, but supplements are not the entire solution:

“Calcium and vitamin D intakes were low, even among those who were using a dietary supplement.”

Dairy products have calcium, and some types of fish as well as dairy products like milk and yogurt have vitamin D.

The study was in the Journal of Pediatrics.

Learn more at healthfinder.gov.

HHS HealthBeat is a production of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. I’m Ira Dreyfuss.

Last revised: November 15, 2012