Similar nutrient profile between vegan and omnivore children's diets

While still a minority, veganism is on the increase. In the US, 6% claim to be vegan, while in Europe, it's 3.4%.

Concerns are raised with regard to parents adopting vegan dietary patterns for their children whose nutritional requirements are heightened to accommodate their rapid growth and development.

Aim

The aim of this meta-analysis and systematic review was to assess the nutritional intakes between children and adolescents following a vegan and omnivorous dietary pattern.(1)

Methodology

Cross-sectional and prospective studies including randomised controlled trials investigating the association between a vegan diet for at least one year and any health outcomes among children and adolescents 0 to 18 years of age were included. A vegan diet was defined as a plant-based diet avoiding any product of animal origin.

18 studies were included in the systematic review and 48 meta-analyses were performed to assess: macro and micronutrient intakes and status, metabolic biomarkers and anthropometry.

Results

Macronutrients

Children following a vegan diet had higher intakes of total carbohydrates, fibre and polyunsaturated fats whilst saturated and monounsaturated fat intakes were lower compared to children consuming an omnivorous diet. Furthermore, protein intake in vegan children was notably lower by 20-32%, albeit both dietary groups were found to meet the recommended daily intake thresholds.

Micronutrients

The analysis demonstrated no difference in intakes between the two groups for vitamins B1, B6, B12, A, beta-carotene and D, and selenium and zinc. The primary source of vitamin B12 in the vegan groups was supplements.

Calcium intakes, while being 40% lower in vegan children compared to omnivores, did not achieve statistical significance in this meta-analysis. The authors emphasise the significance of ensuring sufficient intake of bone minerals during the peak bone mass development stages in children and adolescents. This could be achieved by encouraging the consumption of calcium-rich plant-based foods, including tofu, beans, nuts, seeds, as well as fortified plant-based drinks and alternatives to yogurt.

Iodine status, as investigated by individual studies demonstrated variable results. In contrast to children following an omnivorous diet, a study reported lower urinary iodine concentrations (UIC) in Czechoslovakian children aged 0-6 years following a vegan diet. However, the recorded UIC levels remained within established normal ranges for both groups. Conversely, another study found no discernible difference among older children aged 6-18 years.

While this study did not reveal significant differences in zinc intake across dietary groups, the authors cite a prior meta-analysis that identify significantly lower zinc intakes in vegan children. Consequently, the authors suggest that the available evidence may be insufficient to draw conclusive findings, thereby necessitating further research to elucidate the adequacy of zinc in vegan diets.

Metabolic biomarkers

Vegan children exhibited lower total, LDL, and HDL cholesterol levels in comparison with their meat-consuming counterparts. As for the meta-analysis results pertaining to haemoglobin levels, no significant differences were observed between children following vegan and omnivorous diets.

Anthropometric measurements

In the context of anthropometric measurements, minimal differences were identified in children adhering to omnivorous diets as opposed to those following vegan dietary patterns.

Conclusion

In children and adolescents, vegan diets were associated with higher fibre and polyunsaturated fat intakes and lower consumption of saturated and monounsaturated fats. Protein intakes in vegan diets were also comparatively lower, albeit they remained within the range of recommended dietary reference values (DRV).

With the exception of vitamin B2 and calcium, children adhering to vegan diets exhibited comparable or elevated micronutrient intake levels when compared to their omnivorous counterparts. Notably, although calcium intake was lower in vegan children, statistical significance was not reached.

The authors also emphasise the necessity for further and higher-quality research to comprehensively determine the effects of vegan diets on the nutritional status of children, with a particular focus on zinc and calcium.

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