It has been discovered that millions of children in the U.S. have alarmingly low levels of vitamin D. According to two new studies that gave the first national assessment of the important nutrient in young Americans, this could potentially raise their risk for heart disease, bone problems, diabetes and other illnesses.
There is about 9 percent or 7.6 million adolescents and young adults, ranging in age from 1 to 21, who have such low vitamin D levels that they are considered deficient. Also, 61 percent – 50.8 million – have higher levels, but they are still too low, as stated by the analysis of federal data that was recently released.
Girls, adolescents and darker skin people are especially susceptible to low vitamin D levels. This was found after an analysis of a study on 6,000 children. One of the studies found that 59 percent of black teenage girls were deficient in vitamin D.
Some of the researchers believe the low levels are due to a combination of things. These include things such as children spending more time watching T.V. and playing video games instead of playing outside, using sunscreen and covering up whenever they go outside, and drinking soda and other drinks instead of milk and not consuming enough foods with vitamin D.
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