Vegetarian Children Have Similar Growth And Nutrition Compared To Their Meat Eating Peers.

A new research study finds that children with a vegetarian diet have similar growth and nutrition compared to children who eat meat. However, children on a vegetarian diet were more likely to be underweight. A study of nearly 9,000 children found that those on a vegetarian diet had similar developmental and nutritional measures compared to children who ate meat. The research also found that children on a vegetarian diet were more likely to be underweight, stressing the need for special care when planning a vegetarian diet. The study was published May 2, 2022 in the journal Pediatrics and was led by researchers at St. Michael’s Hospital of Unity Health in Toronto. The findings come as the shift to plant-based foods in Canada accelerates. In 2019, updates to the Canada Food Guide prompted Canadians to adopt plant-based proteins such as beans, nuts and tofu instead of meat. Dr. Jonathon Maguire, pediatrician at St. Michael’s Hospital of Unity Health in Toronto and a scientist at the MAP Center for Urban Health Solutions in St. Louis. Michael’s Hospital. Credit: Unity Health Toronto “Over the past 20 years we have seen a growing popularity of plant-based foods and a changing nutritional environment with greater access to plant-based alternatives, but we have not seen research into the nutritional effects of children on vegetarian diets in Canada,” he said. Dr. Jonathon Maguire, lead author of the study and pediatrician at St. Michael’s Hospital of Unity Health in Toronto. “This study shows that Canadian children on a vegetarian diet had similar increases and biochemical diets compared to children on a non-vegetarian diet. “A vegetarian diet has been linked to a higher chance of being underweight, underscoring the need for careful nutritional planning for underweight children when considering vegetarian diets.” The researchers evaluated 8,907 children aged six months to eight years. The children were all participants in TARGet Kids! The cohort study and data were collected between 2008 and 2019. Participants were categorized by vegetarian status – defined as a meat-excluding diet – or non-vegetarian status. The researchers found that children on a vegetarian diet had similar average body mass index (BMI), height, iron, vitamin D and cholesterol levels compared to those who ate meat. The findings showed that children on a vegetarian diet were almost twice as likely to be underweight, which is defined as below the third percentile for BMI. There was no evidence of association with overweight or obesity. Underweight is an indicator of malnutrition and can be a sign that the quality of the child’s nutrition does not meet the child’s nutritional needs to support normal development. For children on a vegetarian diet, the researchers highlighted access to health care providers who can provide growth monitoring, education and guidance to support their growth and nutrition. International guidelines for vegetarian nutrition in infancy and childhood have different recommendations and previous studies that have evaluated the relationship between vegetarian nutrition and child development and nutritional status have conflicting findings. “Plant food patterns are recognized as a standard of healthy eating due to the increased intake of fruits, vegetables, fiber, whole grains and reduced saturated fats. However, few studies have evaluated the impact of a vegetarian diet on childhood development and nutritional status. “Vegetarian diets seem to be suitable for most children,” said Dr. Maguire, who is also a scientist at the MAP Center for Urban Health Solutions in St. Louis. Michael’s Hospital. A limitation of the study is that the researchers did not evaluate the quality of the vegetarian diet. Researchers note that vegetarian diets come in many forms and that the quality of individual nutrition can be very important for growth and nutritional outcomes. The authors say further research is needed to examine the quality of vegetarian nutrition in childhood, as well as the developmental and nutritional effects of children on a vegan diet that excludes meat and animal products such as dairy and eggs. and honey. Reference: “Vegetarian nutrition, development and nutrition in early childhood: A timeless cohort study” by Laura J. Elliott, RD, MSc; Charles DG Keown-Stoneman, PhD; Catherine S. Birken, MD, MSc, FRCPC; David JA Jenkins, MD, PhD, DSc, FRSC, FRCP, FRCPC; Cornelia M. Borkhoff, MSc, PhD; Jonathon L. Maguire, MD, MSc, FRCPC on behalf of TARGet KIDS! COOPERATION, May 2, 2022, Pediatrics.DOI: 10.1542 / peds.2021-052598 The study was funded by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR), St. Michael’s Hospital Foundation and the SickKids Foundation.