Kids not getting nutrients they need

TORONTO - Parents want to make sure their children are getting the nutrients they need to grow and thrive but sometimes it's easier said than done. According to a recent Leger Marketing survey of Canadians parents with children between the ages of three to 12 conducted on behalf of Jamieson Laboratories, almost sixty per cent of parents say their children are picky eaters with the same percentage of parents concerned their children aren't getting the proper nutrients they need for growth and development.(1)

Parents who have children between the ages of three and five were most likely to hide vegetables in their child's food. (2) Survey results also showed most parents are unaware that Canada's Food Guide recommends four to six servings of fruits and vegetables per day for children between the ages of three and 12.

"I want my children to eat well but it's not always easy to get them to eat their vegetables," said Lisa Wilkinson. "As a parent, I want to ensure my child is getting the vitamins they need to thrive; even when they don't want to eat their broccoli! Having an all-natural supplement option available is important to me."

Additional Survey Highlights

- Most parents feel dinner time is the most challenging meal to ensure
their child eats properly
- More than half of parents are likely to consider giving their child an
all natural vitamin to supplement their diet
- 40 per cent of parents have hidden veggies in their children's food
- Quebec parents are the most concerned their child is not getting the
nutrients they need for proper growth and development
- Younger parents, between 18 to 34, are more concerned than parents
between the age of 35 and 54 that their child is not getting enough
nutrients required for proper growth and development (66% vs. 57%
respectively)

Survey Methodology

A total of 510 Canadians parents of a child/children between the ages of three to 12 answered an online survey. Data collection for this study was conducted between August 18 - 26, 2009. The survey was conducted using a national random sample of 510 respondents. This method simulates a probability sample which would yield a maximum margin of error of +/-4.3%, 19 times out of 20.