Although the majority of infants had good vitamin D status and no children showed signs of vitamin D deficiency, some children had intakes that were too low. This is the result of a study of more than 1,800 infants in Sweden. Foods that give children vitamin D also contributed to greenhouse gas emissions.
This study is the first to provide a detailed analysis of infant vitamin D intake and status in Sweden, following the expansion of mandatory vitamin D fortification in 2018. The initiative focused on specific food groups and its aim was to ensure that more people were getting enough vitamin D through their diets.
The study included children aged 18 months (1,074) and 4 years (746) whose data were obtained from the survey “Riksmaten småbarn” from 2021 to 2024. The study also assessed the climate impact of foods that provide vitamin D to children.
Intake is low, but there is no deficiency
The results showed that 16 percent of 18-month-olds and 61 percent of 4-year-olds were getting less than the average required vitamin D intake (7.5 micrograms per day) through diet and vitamin D infusions. No children were vitamin D deficient, and most children had sufficient vitamin D levels, including 93% in the younger age group and 96% in the older age group.
The most important sources of vitamin D for 18-month-olds were vitamin D drops, fortified dairy products, porridge, and cereals. and fortified dairy products and spreads for 4-year-olds.
At the same time, dairy products also contribute to diet-related greenhouse gas emissions. The foods with the highest vitamin D content relative to their environmental impact were fortified spreads and fortified plant-based alternatives. This makes plant-based alternatives a climate-friendly source of vitamin D.
Climate impact can be reduced
This research nutrition journalcarried out by researchers from the University of Gothenburg, the Swedish Food Agency and the Swedish Institute RISE. One of the lead authors is Andre Hesselink, a nutritionist and doctoral student in clinical nutrition at the University of Gothenburg.
We have an excellent collaboration with the Swedish Food Agency, and the results show that fortified dairy products are very important for the intake of vitamin D in Swedish infants, especially after they stop taking vitamin D drops. Furthermore, expansion of essential fortification programs presents an opportunity for plant-based alternatives to play a more prominent role in the future to ensure adequate intake of vitamin D and reduce the climate impact of diets. ”
André Hesselink, lead study author, clinical nutrition doctoral student, University of Gothenburg
