With adolescents less likely to spend time
outdoors than younger children, they experience less exposure to the sun, which is how we naturally obtain vitamin D. Low vitamin D levels are also a problem at northern latitudes during the winter months when the sun is not sufficient for us to make vitamin D within our bodies, so dietary intakes become more important.
Children and
young people should have more opportunity
than most working adults to benefit on a daily basis from the joys of the great
outdoors;
outdoor play, sport and other activities are an important part of the learning and development process.