Vitamin a for teenager

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The Role of Vitamin A in Teenagers' Health

Importance of Vitamin A for Adolescents

Vitamin A is a crucial nutrient for adolescents, promoting bone growth, immune function, and vision. Despite its importance, many teenagers, especially in developing countries, suffer from vitamin A deficiency, which can lead to severe health issues.

Vitamin A Supplementation in Adolescents

School-Based Supplementation Programs

A study conducted in East Java, Indonesia, evaluated the effectiveness of weekly vitamin A supplementation (10,000 IU) among adolescents aged 12-15 years. The results showed that vitamin A supplementation significantly increased serum retinol concentrations in boys, although it did not have the same effect on girls. This suggests that gender-specific factors may influence the efficacy of vitamin A supplementation .

Combined Supplementation with Iron and Folic Acid

In urban Bangladesh, a study assessed the impact of combining vitamin A with iron and folic acid supplements on anemic teenage girls. The findings indicated that the combination of these supplements significantly improved hemoglobin levels and reduced anemia, iron deficiency, and vitamin A deficiency. This highlights the potential benefits of a multi-nutrient approach to addressing micronutrient deficiencies in adolescents .

Nutrition Education and Vitamin A Levels

A study focusing on adolescent girls aged 13-15 years demonstrated that a nutrition education program could significantly improve serum vitamin A levels. This suggests that educating teenagers about the importance of a balanced diet rich in vitamin A can be an effective strategy to combat deficiency .

Prevalence and Motivations for Supplement Use

In Korea, a survey of teenagers revealed that 31% used vitamin and mineral supplements, with vitamin A being one of the most commonly consumed. The study found that supplement use was higher among high-school students, females, and those from higher socioeconomic backgrounds. This indicates a growing awareness and proactive approach towards health among teenagers, although it also raises concerns about potential overconsumption and the need for guidance on appropriate supplement use .

Conclusion

Vitamin A is essential for the healthy development of teenagers, and various strategies, including supplementation and nutrition education, have proven effective in improving vitamin A status. However, the effectiveness of these interventions can vary based on gender, baseline nutritional status, and other factors. Therefore, tailored approaches and continued education are crucial to ensure that adolescents receive the necessary nutrients for their growth and development.

Sources and full results

Most relevant research papers on this topic

Effectiveness of weekly vitamin A (10 000 IU) and iron (60 mg) supplementation for adolescent boys and girls through schools in rural and urban East Java, Indonesia

School-based vitamin A supplementation improved serum retinol concentration in boys, but iron supplementation did not change hemoglobin levels due to poor compliance and side effects.

RCTLarge Human Trial

2004·

55citations

·D. Soekarjo et al.

Concomitant supplemental vitamin A enhances the response to weekly supplemental iron and folic acid in anemic teenagers in urban Bangladesh.

Weekly supplementation with iron, folic acid, and vitamin A significantly reduces anemia in urban Bangladeshi teenage women before they become pregnant, potentially benefiting their health.

RCTHighly Cited

2001·

101citations

·F. Ahmed et al.

Improvement of Serum Vitamin-A Levels Through Nutrition Education in Adolescent Girls

Nutrition Education significantly improves serum vitamin-A levels in adolescent girls, promoting bone growth and development.

2019·

0citations

·N. Rajani et al.

Vitamin and mineral supplement use by healthy teenagers in Korea: motivating factors and dietary consequences.

Vitamin and mineral supplement use among Korean teenagers is prevalent (31%), with high-school students, females, rural dwellers, and high socioeconomic groups showing the highest usage.

Observational Study

2001·

39citations

·Sun H. Kim et al.

Vitamin A supplementation for preventing morbidity and mortality in children from six months to five years of age.

Vitamin A supplementation can reduce the risk of all-cause mortality in children aged six months to five years, with a 12% reduction observed in the latest update.

Systematic ReviewVery Rigorous JournalHighly Cited

2017·

312citations

·A. Imdad et al.

Improvement of anthropometric and biochemical, but not of vitamin A, status in adolescents who undergo Roux-en-Y gastric bypass: a 1-year follow up study.

Roux-en-Y gastric bypass improves anthropometric and biochemical status in severely obese adolescents, but vitamin A deficiency and night blindness remain unresolved.

Observational Study

2017·

12citations

·Jacqueline Silva et al.

Effect of Vitamin A Supplements with Iron Therapy among Adolescent Girls

Vitamin A supplementation combined with iron therapy significantly improves blood haemoglobin levels in adolescent girls with anaemia.

RCT

2019·

2citations

·SK Patel et al.

Vitamin A supplementation for preventing morbidity and mortality in children from six months to five years of age.

Vitamin A supplementation reduces all-cause mortality and diarrhoea mortality in children aged six months to five years, with no evidence supporting its effectiveness in children aged six months to five years.

Systematic ReviewVery Rigorous Journal

2022·

4citations

·A. Imdad et al.

Vitamin A supplementation for preventing morbidity and mortality in children from 6 months to 5 years of age.

Vitamin A supplementation effectively reduces all-cause mortality in children aged 6 months to 5 years by about 24% compared to no treatment.

Meta-AnalysisVery Rigorous JournalHighly Cited

2010·

232citations

·A. Imdad et al.

Vitamin A supplements for preventing mortality, illness, and blindness in children aged under 5: systematic review and meta-analysis

Vitamin A supplementation is associated with large reductions in mortality, morbidity, and vision problems in children aged 6 months to 5 years, with no evidence of bias.

Meta-AnalysisRigorous JournalHighly Cited

2011·

323citations

·E. Mayo-Wilson et al.

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