As cold weather reduces outdoor activity, increases time indoors and repeats irregular eating habits, interest is rising in managing the health of children in growth stages. Hecto Healthcare CEO Kim Seok-jin (김석진) stressed on Jan. 23 that nutritional balance that can easily fall short in winter diets should be supplemented.

Winter break is a time when children’s daily rhythms change. During the break, sleep times become irregular and activity levels decline, creating patterns that differ from normal routines. Experts say these changes can affect the overall living environment of children in growth stages. Winter lifestyle shifts also affect nutrient intake needed by growing children.

Winter has less sunlight and cold weather increases the share of indoor activities. That makes it difficult to synthesise vitamin D through ultraviolet rays. Vitamin D is an essential nutrient that helps calcium absorption and is involved in bone formation. It is an indispensable element in managing the health of growing children.

Seo Young-mi (서영미), a paediatrics and adolescent medicine specialist at Cheongdam Edeen Clinic, said, "In winter, as outdoor activity decreases, it becomes difficult to sufficiently meet vitamin D needs, making nutritional management through children’s diets even more important." She added, "For children who are picky eaters or frequently eat instant foods, using fish dishes as side dishes for children, such as braised mackerel or grilled salmon that allow intake of vitamin D and omega-3 together, can be helpful."

Nutrients that are difficult to fill through diet alone can be supplemented through various methods, such as health functional foods, depending on circumstances. Experts advised that a balanced approach is needed, considering a child’s growth stage and lifestyle patterns rather than leaning toward specific ingredients.

Kim said, "For children in growth stages, it is important to manage nutrients with different roles in a balanced way, such as vitamin D, omega-3 and probiotics." He added, "In winter, it is often difficult to meet needs through diet and living environment alone, so thorough nutritional management tailored to a child’s growth stage is needed through research-based design."

In line with this, Hecto Healthcare’s premium probiotics De Simone and health functional food brand Kim Seok-jinLAB are presenting a children-specific lineup reflecting winter nutritional management needs. The company said the Kim Seok-jinLAB Kids line contains essential nutrients such as vitamin D and omega-3 for growing children and is designed to supplement nutritional balance that can fall short in winter diets.