The use of vitamin supplements in tandem with a healthy, balanced diet has been encouraged by a senior dietician specialist in child obesity.
According to Tracy Webb, who works at the Sunderland Royal Hospital, vitamin supplements "do have a role to play" in ensuring that a family's diet contains the recommended level of nutrients.
However, she emphasised the importance of continuing to eat a balanced diet rather than relying solely on supplements.
Ms Webb also warned against over-indulgence of vitamins, and as such suggested that people manage their intake carefully.
"If you are taking a variety of supplements make sure they don't contain the same vitamins as you will end up taking too much," she told the Sunderland Echo. "A pharmacist can advise you."
The fat-soluble vitamins A, D, E and K usually found in meat, animal fat, vegetable oils, dairy products and fish are particularly dangerous when consumed in excess, Ms Webb said.
One of the reasons why vitamin supplements are so important is that modern processing techniques have reduced the vitamin and mineral content of some foods, the newspaper reports.
Both heart disease and diabetes have been linked to under-consumption of fruit and vegetables, which are important sources of vitamins.
The use of vitamin supplements in tandem with a healthy, balanced diet has been encouraged by a senior dietician specialist in child obesity.
