Multivitamins For Preteens

Many preteens do not need to take a multivitamin supplement if they eat a healthy, well-balanced diet. Those who have a restricted diet, are picky eaters or have a medical condition that interferes with the absorption of certain vitamins and minerals may benefit from these supplements. Ask your child’s pediatrician for advice on whether or not it is appropriate for your preteen to take a multivitamin.

Choosing a Multivitamin Supplement

When choosing a multivitamin supplement, it is best to find a brand that comes as close to meeting the recommended dietary allowance or adequate intake amounts for preteens as possible. It is better to compare the actual amount of each vitamin and mineral to the recommendations, as the percentages listed on the label of multivitamin supplements are based on daily values, which may not match the specific nutritional needs of your child’s age group. Select a brand that displays the United States Pharmacopeia, or USP, seal, as this seal indicates the supplement has undergone testing for quality and safety.

Vitamin Recommendations for Preteens

The recommended dietary allowances for children between the ages of 9 and 13 years old are 600 micrograms of vitamin A, 45 milligrams of vitamin C, 15 micrograms of vitamin D, 11 milligrams of vitamin E, 0.9 milligrams of riboflavin, 12 milligrams of niacin, 1.0 milligrams of vitamin B-6, 300 micrograms of folate and 1.8 micrograms of vitamin B-12. The adequate intake recommendations for preteens, which are established when not enough information is available to construct a recommended dietary allowance, are 60 micrograms of vitamin K, 4 milligrams of pantothenic acid, 20 microgram of biotin and 375 milligrams of choline. Most multivitamin supplements will contain at least 100 percent of the recommendations of folic acid, niacin, thiamine, vitamin B-6, vitamin B-12 and riboflavin, and some may contain even more than the recommended amounts. Some multivitamins may not contain the recommended amount of vitamin C or vitamin D, so encourage your preteen to make up for this difference by eating plenty of foods rich in these vitamins.

Mineral Recommendations for Preteens

The recommended dietary allowances of minerals for preteens between the ages of 9 and 13 years old are 1,300 milligrams of calcium, 700 micrograms of copper, 120 micrograms of iodine, 8 milligrams of iron, 240 milligrams of magnesium, 34 micrograms of molybdenum, 1,250 milligrams of phosphorus, 40 micrograms of selenium and 8 milligrams of zinc. The adequate intake recommendations are 2 milligrams of fluoride, 4.5 grams of potassium, 1.5 grams of sodium and 2.3 grams of chloride. Male preteens have an adequate intake recommendation of 25 micrograms of chromium and 1.9 milligrams of manganese, while females of the same age have an adequate intake recommendation of 21 micrograms of chromium and 1.6 milligrams of manganese. Most multivitamin supplements should contain at least the recommended amounts of copper, chromium, manganese, iodine, zinc and molybdenum but may not contain the recommended amount of phosphorus, potassium or chloride. No multivitamin supplement will contain the recommended amount of calcium because the resulting pill would be too big to swallow.

Warning

Always report all of your preteen’s current medications and supplements to a doctor before beginning a new multivitamin supplement. If your child takes other vitamin supplements while taking a multivitamin supplement, an overdose may occur. Some vitamin or mineral overdoses can cause serious and even life-threatening complications. If you have any questions or concerns about your preteen taking a multivitamin supplement, contact your child’s pediatrician for guidance.