Many healthy children and teens may be taking vitamin and mineral supplements do not need, say researchers in the February issue of Archives of Pediatric & Adolescent Medicine.

Experts indicate that supplements of vitamins and minerals are not considered necessary if it is a balanced diet. Children who really need these supplements are those that have not as good nutrition, are less active and come from low-income households, and thus might not be receiving the doses of vitamins and minerals they need, experts say.

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends vitamin supplements for most children older than one year, but for those with chronic diseases, eating disorders, and certain other conditions.

Overdose or poisoning by the use of supplements can be a problem, especially among younger children (2 to 4 years). An overdose can cause vomiting or more serious problems such as kidney or liver damage.

Dr. Ulfat Shaikh, study author and assistant professor of pediatrics at the Davis medical school at the University of California and a pediatrician at Children’s Hospital at UC Davis, said: “We were curious to know why some parents might choose counter multivitamins for children and others not. He explained that the study hypothesis was based on that supplements can be used to reduce adverse effects, if parents think the child is not eating well or are wondering where their next meal would come.

The authors reviewed data on vitamin and mineral supplements, as well as diet, exercise and health insurance factors of about 11,000 children and adolescents between 2 and 17 years of national survey examining the health and nutrition.

Nearly one third (34 percent) of the adolescents had used supplements of vitamins and minerals during the month preceding the interview. As expected, children who were overweight were the ones taking vitamins and minerals.