Micronutrients are essential vitamins and minerals required for normal growth, development, and metabolic function. In childhood, they support neurodevelopment, immune function, and bone health. Rapid growth in infancy, early childhood, and adolescence increases susceptibility to deficiency.[1] Childhood obesity rates in Canada have tripled in recent years, intensifying the “double burden” of malnutrition—where excess caloric intake coexists with micronutrient deficiency.[2]

In BC, 86% of school-aged children fail to meet the minimum guidelines for fruit and vegetable intake, indicating a population-level dietary risk across socioeconomic groups.[1] Structural factors—including poverty, systemic racism, and migration-related barriers—further influence dietary access and nutritional outcomes.[3,4]

Rural and urban children at risk

The drivers of pediatric micronutrient deficiencies vary between rural and urban settings. Rural and remote communities—including northern regions and many Indigenous populations—experience higher rates of food insecurity and poverty and persistent barriers in the health system.[3] Interruptions to traditional diets, prolonged breastfeeding without complementary iron-rich foods, and early introduction of cow’s milk contribute to iron and vitamin D deficiency. Environmental factors, including limited sunlight exposure and geographic isolation, further increase the risk of vitamin D–deficiency rickets and iron-deficiency anemia.[5] Gaps in routine screening and supplementation programs also exacerbate inequities in rural communities.

In urban settings, children commonly consume energy-dense, nutrient-poor processed foods. Socioeconomic disparities, limited time for family meal preparation, and the nutritional impacts of acculturation in newcomer families contribute to inadequate intake of vitamin D, calcium, magnesium, and B vitamins.[4] Despite broader food availability, many urban households still face barriers to nutrient-dense diets.

Newcomer and refugee children

Newcomer children are at increased risk of vitamin and mineral deficiencies due to premigration food insecurity, limited access to fortified foods, and infectious disease exposures. Caring for Kids New to Canada identifies vitamin A deficiency as a common condition in newcomer children, which may be unfamiliar to some practitioners, presenting with night blindness, xerophthalmia, and an increased susceptibility to severe infections.[4] Iron deficiency and iron-deficiency anemia frequently accompany migration and may persist if financial or cultural barriers limit access to nutrient-rich foods postarrival.[4]

Micronutrient deficiencies interact bidirectionally with infection. Infectious diseases deplete stores of iron, vitamin A, and zinc, while deficiencies increase the severity and duration of infection.[6]

Dietary patterns and restrictive eating

Shifts away from traditional or whole-food diets toward ultra-processed foods decrease micronutrient density. Children following vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, or highly selective/neurodivergent eating patterns are at increased risk for inadequate intake of vitamin B12, iron, vitamin D, zinc, and calcium without targeted dietary planning.[7]

Environmental determinants

Climate change is an emerging determinant of nutrient intake. Increased atmospheric CO₂ levels reduce iron, zinc, and protein content in staple crops, posing long-term risks for population nutrition.[8] BC’s dependence on imported foods increases vulnerability to global supply chain instability.

Addressing micronutrient deficiency

Clinicians should remain alert for signs of deficiency. Vitamin A deficiency may present with visual changes; vitamin C deficiency with musculoskeletal pain or gingival abnormalities; and iron deficiency with fatigue, pallor, or developmental concerns.[3,5]

Key interventions include culturally responsive nutrition education, universal nutritional screening at child and newcomer health visits, targeted supplementation, food fortification programs, and strengthened provincial nutrition surveillance. Addressing food insecurity through income supports, school meal programs, and access to culturally relevant foods is foundational to improving child nutrition across BC.
—Katharine McKeen, MD, MBA, FCFP
Council on Health Promotion Co-Chair
—Jennifer Balfour, MD, FRCPC
Council on Health Promotion Member

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This article is the opinion of the authors and not necessarily the Council on Health Promotion or Doctors of BC. This article has not been peer reviewed by the BCMJ Editorial Board.

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.

References

1.    Smith A, Forsyth K, Poon C, et al. Balance and connection in BC: The health and well-being of our youth. McCreary Centre Society. 2019. Accessed 27 October 2025. www.mcs.bc.ca/pdf/balance_and_connection.pdf.

2.    Garriguet D. Diet quality in Canada. Health Rep 2009;20:41-52.

3.    Turpel-Lafond ME. In plain sight: Addressing Indigenous-specific racism and discrimination in B.C. health care. Addressing racism review. Summary report. November 2020. Accessed 27 October 2025. https://engage.gov.bc.ca/app/uploads/sites/613/2020/11/In-Plain-Sight-Summary-Report.pdf.

4.    Caring for Kids New to Canada. Vitamin A deficiency. Last updated April 2013. Accessed 27 October 2025. https://kidsnewtocanada.ca/conditions/a.

5.    Health Canada. Nutrition for healthy term infants: Recommendations from six to 24 months. Modified 30 October 2025. Accessed 21 November 2025. www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/canada-food-guide/resources/nutrition-healthy-term-infants/nutrition-healthy-term-infants-recommendations-birth-six-months/6-24-months.html.

6.    Gombart AF, Pierre A, Maggini S. A review of micronutrients and the immune system—Working in harmony to reduce the risk of infection. Nutrients 2020;12:236. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu12010236.

7.    Melina V, Craig W, Levin S. Position of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics: Vegetarian diets. J Acad Nutr Diet 2016;116:1970-1980. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jand.2016.09.025.

8.    Myers SS, Zanobetti A, Kloog I, et al. Increasing CO₂ threatens human nutrition. Nature 2014;510:139-142. https://doi.org/10.1038/nature13179.