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Jun 17, 2008 5:55 pm US/Central
Lack Of Vitamin D Taking Toll On Kids, Teens
(WCCO)
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Doctors recommend getting at least 10 minutes of sun a day without sunscreen, and the darker your skin the more sunlight you need to absorb the vitamin D.
CBS
A new study shows children and teenagers are not getting enough vitamin D, especially when it comes to youngsters in Minnesota.
The nutrient is formed when the skin is exposed to ultraviolet B radiation. However, getting enough vitamin D could be a problem if you live in Minnesota.
"In Minnesota we can make vitamin D between April and September, mostly between the hours of 10 a.m. and 3 p.m.," said Dr. Gregory Plotnikoff, the Director of the Institute of Health and Healing at Abbott Northwestern Hospital.
A study by Boston University tested 307 young people; 40 percent of the children and 42 percent of the teens in the study had insufficient levels of vitamin D. There are a number of contributing factors.
"Kids and teens are not outside enough," said Plotnikoff.
However, that's not the case for Laura King's three kids.
"They're probably out in the sun five, six hours a day. They play out in the sun a lot. That is if we have sun," said King.
Slathering on sunscreen could also be a problem.
"SPF 8 reduces vitamin D production by 95 percent," said Plotnikoff.
"We always put sunscreen on her when we go out for more than a few minutes," said Eric Augustine, a father of a toddler.
Doctors even admit the current standard recommendation for how much vitamin D you need is outdated and that people need much more.
"Everyone in Minnesota should taking at least a thousand international units a day," said Plotnikoff.
You can also get vitamin D in milk but you would have to drink a lot of it.
"Can you drink enough milk to get that? Yes, if you're drinking two gallons a day," said Plotnikoff.
Doctors recommend getting at least 10 minutes of sun a day without sunscreen, and the darker your skin the more sunlight you need to absorb the vitamin D.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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