Kids under 7 are more likely to not have enough iron in their bodies than any other group of people.

When kids under 7 don’t have enough iron in their blood, it can make it harder for them to think clearly and move smoothly, because their brains aren’t getting the right materials to grow and work properly.

When kids who don’t have enough iron in their blood take iron supplements for 3 months, they tend to do better on tests that measure how they think and learn.

Kids and teens who are picky eaters or don’t eat a variety of foods often don’t get enough iron, zinc, or vitamin D, which are important tiny nutrients in food.