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Health aspects of vegan diets among children and adolescents: a systematic review and meta-analyses.

Critical reviews in food science and nutrition
January 1, 2024
Alina Koller et al. (11 authors)
Journal ArticleSystematic ReviewMeta-AnalysisReviewHuman Study
Study Details

Study Goal

The researchers aimed to evaluate the health outcomes, including calcium intake and related effects, of vegan diets compared to omnivorous diets in children and adolescents.

Results Summary

The study found lower calcium intakes among vegan children and adolescents compared to omnivorous peers, with single-study results suggesting lower bone mineral content in vegans.

Population

Children and adolescents aged 0 to 18 years following vegan or omnivorous diets.

Effective Dosage

Not specified

Duration

Not specified

Interactions

None mentioned

Extracted Claims (21)
InterventionDirectionEndpointPopulationDosageImpactClaim #
vegan diet
decrease
protein intake
vegan children and adolescents aged 0 to 18 years
-
lower
#1
vegan diet
decrease
calcium intake
vegan children and adolescents aged 0 to 18 years
-
lower
#2
vegan diet
decrease
vitamin B2 intake
vegan children and adolescents aged 0 to 18 years
-
lower
#3
vegan diet
decrease
saturated fatty acid intake
vegan children and adolescents aged 0 to 18 years
-
lower
#4
vegan diet
decrease
cholesterol intake
vegan children and adolescents aged 0 to 18 years
-
lower
#5
vegan diet
decrease
ferritin levels
vegan children and adolescents aged 0 to 18 years
-
lower
#6
vegan diet
decrease
HDL levels
vegan children and adolescents aged 0 to 18 years
-
lower
#7
vegan diet
decrease
LDL levels
vegan children and adolescents aged 0 to 18 years
-
lower
#8
vegan diet
decrease
height
vegan children and adolescents aged 0 to 18 years
-
lower
#9
vegan diet
increase
carbohydrate intake
vegan children and adolescents aged 0 to 18 years
-
higher
#10
vegan diet
increase
polyunsaturated fatty acid intake
vegan children and adolescents aged 0 to 18 years
-
higher
#11
vegan diet
increase
fiber intake
vegan children and adolescents aged 0 to 18 years
-
higher
#12
vegan diet
increase
folate intake
vegan children and adolescents aged 0 to 18 years
-
higher
#13
vegan diet
increase
vitamin C intake
vegan children and adolescents aged 0 to 18 years
-
higher
#14
vegan diet
increase
vitamin E intake
vegan children and adolescents aged 0 to 18 years
-
higher
#15
vegan diet
increase
magnesium intake
vegan children and adolescents aged 0 to 18 years
-
higher
#16
vegan diet
increase
iron intake
vegan children and adolescents aged 0 to 18 years
-
higher
#17
vegan diet
increase
potassium intake
vegan children and adolescents aged 0 to 18 years
-
higher
#18
supplement use
increase
blood levels of vitamin B12
vegan children
-
higher
#19
vegan diet
decrease
bone mineral content
vegan children
-
lower
#20
vegan diet
decrease
urinary iodine
vegan children
-
lower
#21
Abstract

Health effects of vegan diets among children and adolescents are a controversial public health topic. Thus, the aim of the present systematic review is to evaluate a broad range of health outcomes among vegan children and adolescents aged 0 to 18 years. 18 studies met the inclusion criteria (17 cross-sectional, 1 RCT). Meta-analyses showed lower protein, calcium, vitamin B2, saturated fatty acid, and cholesterol intakes, and lower ferritin, HDL and LDL levels as well as height in vegan compared to omnivorous children/adolescents. Higher intakes of carbohydrates, polyunsaturated fatty acids, fiber, folate, vitamins C and E, magnesium, iron, and potassium were observed in vegans. Blood levels of vitamin B12 were higher among vegan children due to supplement use. Single study results suggested further differences between vegan and non-vegan children, such as lower bone mineral content or urinary iodine among vegan children. Risk of Bias was rated as high or very high in 7 out of 18 studies. The certainty of evidence for the meta-analyses was low (

Medical Subject Headings (MeSH)
HumansChildAdolescentDiet, VeganChild, PreschoolInfantChild Nutritional Physiological PhenomenaNutritional StatusDietary Supplements
Study Links
Quality Scores
SafetyNot Assessed
Efficacy30/10
Quality60/10
Citation Metrics
Total Citations10
Citations/Year10.0
Relative Citation Ratio4.99
Research Impact Scores
APT Score0.95
Weight Score2.55
Normalized Score0.44
Related Supplements
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