Calcium intake of young Brits “woeful”

The calcium intake and other nutrient levels in young people in Britain is dangerously low, according to experts who have published a study.

Minerals like iron and calcium are dangerously low in the diets of children and young adults in the UK according to the study releases by Boots Health Club.

Around 96 per cent of women were found to be iron deficient. The female group aged from 19 to 24 registered with low iron levels which leads to fatigue and anaemia.

It compared people’s intake of vitamins and minerals with the Reference Nutrient Intake (RNI) for each nutrient, which is the recommended daily target for people based on their age and sex.

Vitamins in the study included iron, calcium, magnesium, vitamin B12, vitamin D, zinc and vitamin A.

In total, 30 studies and surveys carried out over twelve years were reviewed, all involving UK youngsters and adults.

The research found that, among the 19 to 24 age group, 74 per cent of men and 81 per cent of women were deficient in vitamin A, which helps slow down damage to the body’s tissue.

A total of 14 per cent of men and 40 per cent of women we

re deficient in folate, 4 per cent of men and 5 per cent of women in vitamin B12, 39 per cent of men and 25 per cent of women in vitamin C and 25 per cent of men and 96 per cent of women in iron.

A third (34 per cent) of men and 56 per cent of women were deficient in calcium, which is linked to the bone-wasting disease osteoporosis, 76 per cent of men and 85 per cent of women in magnesium and 57 per cent of men and 58 per cent of women in zinc.

Dr Walker speaking to the Daily Mail said Britain’s binge drinking culture, especially among young people, was having an effect.

She added: “Bad diet, smoking and binge drinking are having a devastating effect on women’s health and adding to the stressful burden of full-time working.

“Modern day lifestyles are at fault with many people working long hours, with bad diets and little time for exercise.

“It is hugely important that young adults start eating more healthily to avoid stressing the immune system.

“What is worrying is that the number of people failing nutrient targets is increasing.

“Unless this issue is addressed and the number of vita-rexia cases starts to decline, the ultimate long term consequence will be a sickly population, further burden on the NHS and shortened life expectancy.”