I received a press release saying that as of 1st April, Asda Pharmacy (in 218 Asda stores) will be giving out free Vitamin D to children above the age of 3. Apparently recent advice from the Chief Medical Officer has suggested that all high-risk groups (including children under 5) should take the supplement to top up on their natural supplies which are mainly obtained from sunlight.
I was horrified when I read this. I make sure we go out every day and get plenty of fresh air whether for just a walk or a trip to the park, ensure a healthy balanced diet and a good routine with plenty of sleep. Surely my child wouldn’t need to supplement his diet? I think that giving free vitamins is just encouraging lazy parenting. I know not everyone has access to a park or can afford a healthy balanced diet but it seems as though Asda is just capitalising on the advice to worry parents. Or am I being naive – do parents think if they give their child a vitamin they will be guaranteeing their long term good health?
A similar story was repeated in the latest issue of Gurgle magazine saying the Department of Health recommends a daily supplement (containing Vitamins A, C and D) for all children between six months and 5 years. I’m not normally one to voice a political opinion but why does the Government insist on telling us how we should bring up our children, surely something they accused the last government of doing? It drives me mad with my middle class values to want the best for the children I desperately wanted, and only had when we could afford to.
A vitamin D deficiency is a bad thing (leading to rickets amongst other disorders) and I know certain ethnic groups are more at risk, but do we really need to be told how to bring up our children? Wouldn’t it be better to educate people on the benefits of a healthy diet and fresh air rather than doling out free vitamins?
What do you think? I would love to hear your thoughts!
Hi Jenny,
This is the first time I’ve seen your blog (I was reading about your Stampin’ Up day) and I came across your blog regarding vitamin D supplements.
I used to live in the Shetland Isles (until last year), and we didn’t get the best of the weather up in the far north of the UK. There was many a day when my children would be stuck in the house, unable to get out (without being blown away!). The summer is short lived and the winters are long and harsh with few daylight hours & long dark evenings (although the northern lights are breathtaking!). It is for places such as these that the vitamin D supplement would be most beneficial. I have read that people in Scotland are at higher risk of vitamin D deficiency due to the long harsh winters and reduced daylight hours. So I suppose it just depends on where you live in the UK and how often you manage to enjoy the outdoors (without needing stones in your pockets to keep your feet on the ground!!).
Kind regards.
I’m with you! I object to being told there is a cure all for childhood illness. Pump your children with as many vitamins as you like, if you let them sit around watching TV and eating junk food all day it won’t make a damn bit of difference! Far better to encourage people to feed their little ones properly. I don’t agree that families can’t afford healthy fresh food. There is no reason for proper meals to cost the same as the processed junk people rely on too much! It takes time not money to ensure a decent diet – and surely your children are worth that! Do people in Sweden or Finland take these supplements? Short winters are surely equaled out by longer summers?
I think it’s nothing more than pandering to pointless fear, like having to keep every surface in the house germ free, and carrying hand sanitiser everywhere you go – frightened parents spend money – and thats all it comes down to1