Impacts of vegetarian diet on children and adolescents

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate, through a literature review, the impacts of vegetarian and vegan diets on children and adolescents. Bibliographic review: The intake of fruit and vegetable products by children and adolescents appears to be related to protection against general and abdominal obesity. However, they possibly have a higher risk of nutritional deficiencies, leading to health risks. It was observed that vegetarian and vegan children had similar energy intake and body mass index when compared to omnivores. However, vegans had lower concentrations of erythrocytes, hemoglobin, hematocrit and ferritin. In general, an association was demonstrated between a vegetarian dietary pattern and disease prevention. Final considerations: Well-planned and targeted nutrition and supplementation for infants can be significantly beneficial, preventing future health complications. However, further studies on this topic are needed, assessing the long-term metabolic consequences, since accurate data on the safety of vegetarianism and veganism in childhood are still scarce.