Importance of Vitamins and Minerals for Children

1. Importance of Vitamins and Minerals for Children

2. Vitamins • Vitamin A • B Vitamins • Vitamin C • Vitamin D • Vitamin E • Vitamin K

3. 14 Essential Minerals • Calcium, chromium, copper, fluorine, iodine, iron, magnesium, manganese,molybdenum, phosphorus, potassium, selenium, sodium and zinc

4. 14 Essential Minerals are Crucial to the growth and production of: • Bones • Teeth • Hair • Blood • Nerves • Skin • Vitamins • Enzymes and hormones • Healthy functioning of: -nerve transmission -blood circulation -fluid regulation -cellular integrity -energy production -muscle contraction

5. Fat Soluble Vitamins • Vitamin A • Vitamin D • Vitamin E • Vitamin K • Are stored in the liver and fatty tissues, and are eliminated much more slowly than water-soluble vitamins

6. Water Soluble Vitamins • B vitamins • Vitamin C • With exception of vitamin B6 and B12, they are readily excreted in urine • Need regular replacement in the body • Lack…mostly affects growing or rapidly metabolizing tissues such as skin, blood, the digestive tract, and the nervous system

7. FACTS! • It is estimated that a daily multivitamin is given to 25-50% of children in the United States, although this is generally not necessary for most children with an average diet. • Well balanced diet is the best multivitamin

8. FACT! Consuming a diet with the minimum number of servings suggested by the Food Guide Pyramid will provide your child with the recommended daily allowance of most vitamins and minerals.

9. Vitamin A • Milk and infant formulas are excellent sources of Vitamin A • Fat soluble vitamin • A deficiency can occur in children with fat malabsorption or with a very poor diet. • Too much Vitamin A can also be harmful.

10. Vitamin C • Many parents exceed the recommended daily requirements of Vitamin C to prevent colds and upper respiratory tract infections • Too little Vitamin C can lead to scurvy • Fruits and vegetables are excellent sources of Vitamin C.

11. Vitamin K • Vitamin K is a fat soluble vitamin • Necessary for proper blood clotting • Can be deficient in some newborn babies, especially if they did not receive a Vitamin K shot after they were born and they are being breastfed.

12. Vitamin D • Fat soluble vitamin • Deficiency can lead to Rickets (In some infants that are exclusively breastfed, especially if they have very dark skin or if they have limited exposure to sunlight) • Found in fortified foods, such as milk and infant formulas • AAP now recommends that all children receive Vitamin D supplements • Exclusively breastfed infants need to take 200 IU of Vitamin D each day.

13. Iron • Important for children's growth • Necessary for the development of strong muscles and production of blood • Younger children require about 10mg of iron each day, while older children and adolescents need about 12-15mg a day

14. Calcium • Mostly present in children's bones • Necessary for the development of strong bones • Important way to prevent the development of osteoporosis in adults • Younger children require about 800mg of calcium each day • Older children and adolescents need about 1200-1500mg a day.

15. Zinc • Helps with growth and sexual maturation • Infants require about 3-5mg of zinc each day • Adolescents need about 10-15mg • Foods high in zinc include meats, seafood, dairy products, whole grains, breads and fortified cereals, nuts and dried beans

16. Create a Game about Vitamins and Minerals!!! • Must include all vitamins and minerals discussed in detail • Questions/plan of action for game must be written down on paper with ALL group members names • Game must be created and playable • Purpose of game is to help classmates learn/memorize all the vitamins and minerals we learned about today