Researchers in Ireland wanted to understand why parents aren’t following official recommendations for giving their young children vitamin D supplements and iron-rich foods. They surveyed 185 parents and interviewed 15 of them in detail. They found that only about 1 in 5 parents give vitamin D supplements as recommended, and even fewer serve iron-rich foods like red meat or fortified cereals regularly. The study discovered that parents face real challenges like cost, convenience, picky eaters, and confusion about the guidelines themselves. The researchers suggest that better communication and community support could help more families follow these important nutrition recommendations.

The Quick Take

  • What they studied: Whether parents in Ireland are following official health recommendations for giving young children vitamin D supplements and iron-rich foods, and what stops them from doing so.
  • Who participated: 185 parents of children aged 1-5 years completed an online survey, and 15 of those parents participated in detailed interviews about their feeding practices.
  • Key finding: Only about 20% of parents give vitamin D supplements as recommended (during winter months), 22% serve red meat three times per week as suggested, and 32% regularly use iron-fortified breakfast cereals. This means most families aren’t following these guidelines.
  • What it means for you: If you have young children, you may want to check whether you’re meeting these nutrition guidelines. However, the barriers parents face—like cost and convenience—are real, so talk with your pediatrician about practical ways to improve your child’s vitamin D and iron intake that work for your family.

The Research Details

This study used a mixed-methods approach, which means the researchers combined two different ways of collecting information. First, they created an online survey that 185 parents completed. The survey asked parents whether they knew about the Irish health authority’s recommendations, what they thought about them, and whether they actually followed them. Second, the researchers interviewed 15 parents in depth, asking open-ended questions about what makes it easy or hard to follow the guidelines. By combining numbers from the survey with detailed stories from the interviews, the researchers got a complete picture of both how many parents follow the guidelines and why they do or don’t.

This research approach is important because it doesn’t just tell us that parents aren’t following guidelines—it helps us understand why. The survey numbers show the problem exists, but the interviews reveal the real-life obstacles families face. This information is much more useful for creating solutions than numbers alone would be.

This study has some strengths: it used both surveys and interviews to get a complete picture, and it was conducted by nutrition researchers in a real-world setting. However, the study only included parents who could complete an online survey, which might miss families without internet access. The sample size of 185 is moderate, and all participants were from Ireland, so results may not apply everywhere. The study is recent (2025) and published in a peer-reviewed nutrition journal, which adds credibility.

What the Results Show

The study found surprisingly low rates of adherence to all three recommendations. Only about 1 in 5 parents (20.5%) gave their children vitamin D supplements during the recommended winter months (late October through mid-March). Similarly, only about 1 in 5 parents (21.6%) served red meat three times per week as recommended. Iron-fortified breakfast cereals had slightly better adherence at about 1 in 3 families (31.9%), but this still means two-thirds of families weren’t meeting this guideline. These numbers suggest that most young children in the study weren’t getting enough vitamin D and iron from the recommended sources.

The interviews revealed five main reasons why parents struggled to follow the guidelines: (1) Different ideas about what ‘healthy eating’ means—some parents thought other foods were more important; (2) Limited access to recommended foods in their neighborhoods or stores; (3) Other family members’ food preferences and picky eaters making it hard to serve recommended foods; (4) Convenience concerns—vitamin D supplements and certain foods require planning and effort; and (5) Parents simply didn’t know about the guidelines or weren’t sure how to follow them. These findings show that the problem isn’t just about parents not caring, but about real obstacles in their daily lives.

While this is one of the first studies to look specifically at Irish parents’ adherence to these particular guidelines, similar research in other countries has found comparable problems. Studies from other places show that many parents struggle to give supplements regularly and serve recommended foods consistently. This study adds to growing evidence that official nutrition guidelines often don’t match what families actually do in real life.

The study only included parents who could complete an online survey, which may have missed families without internet access or those less comfortable with technology. All participants were from Ireland, so the findings may not apply to other countries with different food systems and guidelines. The sample of 15 parents interviewed was small, though this is typical for detailed interview studies. The researchers didn’t measure whether children’s actual vitamin D and iron levels were affected, only whether parents followed the guidelines.

The Bottom Line

If you have children aged 1-5 years, talk with your pediatrician about vitamin D and iron. Your doctor can help you figure out practical ways to meet these needs that work for your family’s budget, schedule, and food preferences. You don’t necessarily have to follow the guidelines exactly as written—your doctor may suggest alternatives that work better for you. Consider: asking your doctor about vitamin D supplements (especially in winter), gradually introducing iron-rich foods like red meat or fortified cereals, and making a simple meal plan to make it easier to remember. Confidence level: High—these nutrients are important for children’s development, though the specific guidelines may vary by location.

Parents and caregivers of children aged 1-5 years should pay attention to this research, especially those in Ireland or similar climates with limited winter sunlight. Pediatricians and public health workers should care about these findings because they show that current communication about nutrition guidelines isn’t working well. Policymakers should consider these results when designing nutrition programs. This research is less relevant for parents of older children or those in very sunny climates.

If you start giving vitamin D supplements or adding more iron-rich foods, you won’t see obvious changes overnight. Vitamin D builds up in the body over weeks and months, so consistent supplementation during winter is important. Iron from food is absorbed gradually and helps with energy and development over time. You might notice your child has more energy or fewer infections after several weeks to months of better nutrition, but the real benefits happen at the cellular level and may not be obvious to you.

Want to Apply This Research?

  • Track weekly vitamin D supplement doses (aim for 5 days per week during October-March) and count servings of iron-rich foods (red meat 3+ times per week, fortified cereals 5+ times per week). Use a simple checklist or calendar view to mark off completed days.
  • Start with one small change: either set a daily phone reminder for vitamin D supplements at the same time each day, or plan one red meat meal per week and gradually increase to three. Once one habit feels automatic (usually 2-4 weeks), add the next recommendation.
  • Review your adherence weekly in the app. If you’re struggling with a particular recommendation, use the app’s note feature to identify barriers (cost, picky eater, forgetfulness) and brainstorm solutions. Share your progress with your pediatrician at check-ups to adjust recommendations if needed.

This research describes what parents in Ireland are currently doing regarding vitamin D and iron recommendations for young children. It does not provide medical advice. Every child’s nutritional needs are different based on their age, health status, diet, and environment. Before starting any supplement or making significant changes to your child’s diet, consult with your pediatrician or a registered dietitian. They can assess your individual child’s needs and recommend the best approach for your family. This study’s findings are specific to Ireland and may not apply to your location or healthcare system.