Anthropometric, dietary, and nutritional outcomes of vegetarian and vegan diets in childhood: A narrative review and recommendations for adequate nutrition
Copyright © 2025 Briana Gómez, Ana Maria Narváez Rivas , Miguel Ángel Caro Roldan
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Background: The adoption of plant-based diets, including vegetarian and vegan variations, is experiencing a notable increase among pediatric populations, driven by ethical, environmental, and health considerations. However, the appropriateness of these dietary patterns, particularly in relation to nutritional sufficiency, remains a subject of scholarly discourse.
Aims: This narrative review aims to synthesize the anthropometric, dietary, and nutritional aspects of vegetarian and vegan diets in children and to provide evidence-based guidelines for ensuring nutritional adequacy while adhering to a vegetarian lifestyle.
Methods: A comprehensive literature search was conducted across PubMed, Science Direct, Embase, Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar up to February 2024. Search terms included variations of "vegetarian" and "vegan" in conjunction with "infant," "child," "anthropometric," and "nutritional intake." Studies were selected based on their relevance to dietary intake, nutritional status, and health, while excluding investigations focused on macrobiotic dietary patterns.
Results: A total of 278 articles were initially identified, of which 38 underwent full-text review. Sixteen studies met the inclusion criteria. Anthropometric data indicated that vegetarian and vegan children generally exhibit similar growth patterns to their omnivorous peers, though some studies show slightly lower height and weight percentiles. Dietary intake analysis revealed a tendency for vegetarian diets to exhibit higher consumption of fruits, vegetables, and fiber but potentially lower intakes of calorie energy, protein, and critical micronutrients such as iron, zinc, and calcium. Despite some deficiencies, the availability of contemporary food products and nutritional supplements have contributed to improved nutrient availability.
Conclusions: While vegetarian dietary patterns can support healthy growth and development in children, meticulous dietary planning is essential to avoid the risk of nutritional deficiencies. The availability of specialized vegetarian products and fortified foods has enhanced dietary outcomes. Sustained professional guidance from healthcare professionals is crucial for optimizing nutritional intake and ensuring that vegetarian diets meet the developmental needs of children. Future research should persist in addressing knowledge gaps and refining dietary recommendations.
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How to Cite
Alexy, U. (2023). Diet and growth of vegetarian and vegan children. BMJ Nutrition, Prevention & Health, 6(Suppl 2), s3–s11. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjnph-2023-000697
Alexy, U., Fischer, M., Weder, S., Längler, A., Michalsen, A., & Keller, M. (2022). Food group intake of children and adolescents (6–18 years) on a vegetarian, vegan or omnivore diet: Results of the VeChi Youth Study. British Journal of Nutrition, 128(5), 851–862. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0007114521003603
Alexy, U., Fischer, M., Weder, S., Längler, A., Michalsen, A., & Keller, M. (2021a). VeChi-Youth-Studie im 14. Ernährungsbericht der DGE. VeChi Youth. https://vechi-
Alexy, U., Fischer, M., Weder, S., Längler, A., Michalsen, A., Sputtek, A., & Keller, M. (2021b). Nutrient intake and status of German children and adolescents consuming vegetarian, vegan or omnivore diets: Results of the VeChi Youth Study. Nutrients, 13(5). https://doi.org/10.3390/nu13051707
Alexy, U., Janz, N., & Kersting, M. (2017). Food and meals in vegetarian children and adolescents. In Vegetarian and Plant-Based Diets in Health and Disease Prevention (pp. 549–564). Elsevier. https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-12-803968-7.00031-9
Ambroszkiewicz, J., Klemarczyk, W., Gajewska, J., Chełchowska, M., & Laskowska-Klita, T. (2007). Serum concentration of biochemical bone turnover markers in vegetarian children. Advances in Medical Sciences, 52, 279–282.
Baroni, L., Goggi, S., Battaglino, R., Berveglieri, M., Fasan, I., Filippin, D., Griffith, P., Rizzo, G., Tomasini, C., Tosatti, M., & Battino, M. (2018). Vegan nutrition for mothers and children: Practical tools for healthcare providers. Nutrients, 11(1), 5. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu11010005
Baroni, L., Goggi, S., & Battino, M. (2019). Planning well-balanced vegetarian diets in infants, children, and adolescents: The VegPlate Junior. Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, 119(7), 1067–1074. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jand.2018.06.008
Cayllante, J. P. (2014). Vegetarianismo. Revista de Actualización Clínica Investiga, 42, 2195–2199.
Del Bo, C., Riso, P., Gardana, C., Brusamolino, A., Battezzati, A., & Ciappellano, S. (2019). Effect of two different sublingual dosages of vitamin B 12 on cobalamin nutritional status in vegans and vegetarians with a marginal deficiency: A randomized controlled trial. Clinical Nutrition, 38(2), 575–583. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.clnu.2018.02.008
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