Hidden Gaps on Our Kids Plate: What Global Data Reveals About Nutrition in Children and Young Adults

With school lunches, well-stocked supermarkets, and growing interest in healthy eating, it’s easy to assume that children and young people today are well-nourished. But the data tells a different story.

Across both the UK and around the world, many young people are falling short on key nutrients — and often, these gaps go unnoticed. While meals may look balanced on the surface, hidden shortfalls in vitamins and minerals can quietly affect energy, concentration, immunity, growth, and future health.

Here, we explore some of the most common nutrient deficiencies in children and young adults — and offer simple, food-first ways to help close the gap.

Vitamin D deficiency is more common than many realise. Around 15.7% of the global population has levels considered deficient (below 30 nmol/L), and in some parts of the UK, up to 40% of people fall below 50 nmol/L — a level linked with bone loss, low mood, and immune disruption.

In the UK:

• 19% of children aged 11–18 are deficient

• 16% of adults aged 19–64 are deficient

• Approx 2%-10% of children aged 4–10 are also affected

Vitamin D plays a role in maintaining normal calcium and phosphate levels in the blood — minerals essential for maintaining bones, teeth, and muscles — and supports normal immune function. But with limited sun exposure in the UK and northern latitudes for much of the year, and few rich food sources, many people struggle to meet their needs.

Top tip: Everyone over the age of 1 is advised to take a vitamin D supplement during the autumn and winter months (Guidance provided by Public Health England and the NHS).  

Iron is essential for oxygen transport, cognitive performance, and maintaining energy levels. Yet globally, iron deficiency remains the most widespread nutrient shortfall — and it may often occur without progressing to full anaemia.

Iron deficiency affects around 2 billion people worldwide, with nearly 40% of children under 5 experiencing anaemia as a result.  

In the UK, 49% of girls aged 11–18 have iron intakes below the Lower Reference Nutrient Intake (LRNI)  — meaning nearly half aren’t getting even the minimum amount of iron considered adequate. This makes teenage girls especially vulnerable to deficiency.

Their needs are higher during adolescence due to rapid growth and the start of menstruation, but this is often paired with a reduced intake of iron-rich foods. It’s a combination that can quietly lead to low iron status. Early signs might include tiredness, frequent infections, or noticing that skin looks a little paler than usual.

Food first: Include lentils, chickpeas, red meat, spinach, and iron-fortified cereals. Pair with vitamin C (from peppers or berries) to help with absorption of iron. 

Folate plays a key role in DNA synthesis, red blood cell production, and neurological function, and also supports maternal tissue growth during pregnancy. Yet deficiency remains common — and easily missed.

Globally, deficiency rates range from 1.5% to 40.2%  depending on the region.

In the UK:

• 89% of women of childbearing age  fall below the level linked to reduced risk of neural tube defects

• Around 17% of adolescents are clinically deficient

Despite being found in leafy greens, legumes, and citrus fruits, many diets fall short — often due to low vegetable intake and the absence (until recently) of folic acid fortification.

Food first: Add eggs, organs meats, pulses, spinach, beetroot, citrus fruit, and folate-fortified grains.

Read more about the difference between folate and folic acid in our blog:  Folate vs Folic Acid: Are You Getting the Right Form of Vitamin B9? 

Some people have a common genetic variant (MTHFR C677T) that affects how the body activates folic acid. These individuals may benefit from folate in its active form (5-MTHF), particularly during key life stages like pregnancy.

Learn more about this topic in our blog:  Methylated Nutrients: What They Are and Why They Matter   

Magnesium supports hundreds of vital biochemical reactions in the body — from muscle and nerve function to energy production, blood sugar regulation, and sleep. It’s a quiet multitasker that often doesn’t get the attention it deserves. If you’d like to explore more on this, we’ve covered its wider benefits in our blogs:  Why Magnesium Matters for an Active Body  and A Guide to the Different Types of Magnesium.  

Despite its importance, magnesium deficiency remains surprisingly common.

Globally:

• Around 15–20% of people in developed countries have suboptimal magnesium levels

• Among children with chronic health conditions, up to 79% are at risk of deficiency  

In the UK: According to the  Dietary Status of Teens and Young Adults in Micronutrients  report by HSIS, which uses UK National Diet and Nutrition Survey (NDNS) data, almost four in ten (38%) of 11–18-year-olds (27% of boys, 50% of girls) have intakes of magnesium below the Lower Reference Nutrient Intake (LRNI), which is the threshold where deficiency becomes likely.

This shortfall is often linked to modern diets, which tend to be lower in magnesium-rich whole foods like nuts, seeds, whole grains, and leafy greens — and higher in processed foods  that offer very little in return.

Food first: Eat more oats, brown rice, pumpkin seeds, wholegrain bread, leafy greens, almonds, and dark chocolate.

These statistics aren’t just numbers — they’re a reflection of how today’s food habits are affecting health beneath the surface. Childhood and young adulthood are key windows for growth, learning, and forming habits that last a lifetime.

When key nutrients are consistently missing, the effects may show up in subtle ways — from low mood and fatigue to poor immunity and difficulty concentrating. But small, simple shifts can make a meaningful difference.

Practical Ways to Fill the Gaps:

• Eat a wide variety of whole foods

• Choose fortified options when using plant-based alternatives

• Add one brightly coloured veg to each meal

• Swap crisps for nuts or seeds

• Consider supplements as an adjunct to a varied diet.

Even with the best intentions, today’s diets can miss key nutrients — not from lack of care, but often from a lack of awareness. By understanding where these gaps exist and how to address them, we’re in a better position to make informed, everyday choices that support long-term health.

A food-first approach doesn’t have to be perfect. But with a little more attention to what’s on the plate, we can give the next generation the nutritional foundations they need — both now and for the years ahead.