This paper examines the fortified food consumption of elementary school-aged children. It also examines the reasons these parents fed fortified foods to their children. A survey was distributed to the respective parents of these children. Eighty-four percent of parents said their children eat fortified foods. Breakfast foods were the highest fortified food category with ready-to-eat breakfast cereals the top choice. The issue of how fortified foods should fit into our children's intake is also discussed. A large percentage of the U.S. population falls short of meeting certain nutrient recommendations and children are no exception. Meeting nutrient needs of children has become a major concern for healthcare providers, nutrition educators and health teachers. Research studies have shown that many nutrients are deficient in children's diets, including iron and calcium (Wardlaw, 2003; National Dairy Council, 2003; Smith, 1999). Calcium and iron deficiency are the most widespread nutrient deficiencies seen in children. Fifty percent of children do not get adequate calcium (Kellett, 2003). As the most abundant mineral in the body, calcium should be an essential part of everyone's diet. Most of the body's calcium is stored in the bones and plays an important role in building and maintaining bones. If an individual does not consume an adequate amount of calcium, the body must compensate by taking and utilizing calcium from the existing supply in the bones. This is an especially serious problem for children and adolescents because bones grow and develop most rapidly during these years. It is important to build strong bones in childhood with adequate mineral intake; so that later in life when you start losing bone minerals, you will have an ample supply to delay diseases and disorders related to calcium deficiency. Calcium deficiency in childhood puts individuals at risk for future health problems, especially osteoporosis. Other diseases and conditions associated with calcium deficient diets include high blood pressure, colon cancer, obesity, type II diabetes and kidney stone formation. Iron deficiency anemia is the most common form of anemia and is becoming widespread among children and teenagers. Approximately 20% of women (50% in pregnancy) and 3% of men are iron deficient (Medlineplus, 2003). It is estimated that 25% of babies are iron deficient (Merck Source, 2003). Iron deficiency is commonly seen in babies between 9 and 24 months and may continue into childhood (University of Maryland Medicine, 2003). Children are especially at risk for iron deficiency because of increased requirements during rapid growth and physiological changes (Wardlaw, 2003). Adolescent girls are also at risk of anemia once they begin menstruation (Iannelli, 2003). Signs of iron deficiency include: pale skin color, fatigue, irritability, weakness, shortness of breath, sore tongue, brittle nails, decreased appetite and headache. Iron deficiency is also an important cause of decreased attention span, alertness, and learning -- both in young children and in adolescents -- which may affect school performance. Calcium and iron deficiency can cause problems in growth during childhood as well as lead to long-term adverse health effects. Two suggested approaches to combating nutrient deficiencies include supplementation and consumption of foods fortified with key nutrients that may be lacking in children's diets (Gibson, 1997). Fortified food product development and consumption has steadily increased in children and adolescents over the past 15 years (Sichert-Hillert, 1999). Fortified foods are foods to which nutrients such as vitamins and minerals have been added to boost the nutritive value. Most foods are fortified to achieve a particular dietary purpose. Examples of nutrients added at specified levels are thiamin, riboflavin, niacin, and iron. More recently calcium, zinc and folic acid have been added to a wide variety of foods including fruit juices, breads, ready-to-eat breakfast cereals, and snack foods. Fortified food product sales have increased dramatically over the last several years and in 1999 consumers spent $17 billion (Platzman, 1999) and this number is expected to steadily increase. According to the National Cancer Institute and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), fortified foods contribute significant amounts of vitamins and minerals to children's diets. This is probably due to the fact that ready-to-eat breakfast cereals are a popular food choice by this group and are frequently consumed. Cereals have also been fortified with essential nutrients that children need. Not to mention, many cereal manufacturers are adding key nutrients to cereals based on common nutrient deficiencies reported in American children today (KidSource, 2003). Based on the USDA Continuing Survey of Food Intakes by Individuals, researchers found that ready-to-eat cereal is among the top sources of folate, vitamin A, vitamin C, iron and zinc among children 2-18 years old (USDA, 2003; KidSource, 2003). Also important to note is that children who eat breakfast are also more likely to meet their needs for vitamins and minerals compared to children who do not consume breakfast (Wardlaw, 2003). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]