Bone status and adipokine levels in children on vegetarian and omnivorous diets

Ambroszkiewicz, Jadwiga; Chełchowska, Magdalena; Szamotulska, Katarzyna; Rowicka, Grażyna; Klemarczyk, Witold; Strucińska, Małgorzata; Gajewska, Joanna

doi:10.1016/j.clnu.2018.03.010

Cited by 27 publications

(28 citation statements)

References 42 publications

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“…Evidence on blood micronutrient status for this group is available primarily for iron status, showing wide variation in the prevalence of deficiency ( 12 ). Data on other blood parameters are scant ( 11 , 13 ). There are no current informative studies on vegan children other than those <3 y old ( 14 ) when health effects might be less evident.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Growth, body composition, and cardiovascular and nutritional risk of 5- to 10-y-old children consuming vegetarian, vegan, or omnivore diets

Desmond

Sobiecki

Jaworski

et al. 2021

The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition

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Background Plant-based diets (PBDs) are increasingly recommended for human and planetary health. However, comprehensive evidence on the health effects of PBDs in children remains incomplete, particularly in vegans. Objectives To quantify differences in body composition, cardiovascular risk, and micronutrient status of vegetarian and vegan children relative to omnivores and to estimate prevalence of abnormal micronutrient and cholesterol status in each group. Methods In a cross-sectional study, Polish children aged 5–10 y (63 vegetarian, 52 vegan, 72 matched omnivores) were assessed using anthropometry, deuterium dilution, DXA, and carotid ultrasound. Fasting blood samples, dietary intake, and accelerometry data were collected. Results All results are reported relative to omnivores. Vegetarians had lower gluteofemoral adiposity but similar total fat and lean mass. Vegans had lower fat indices in all regions but similar lean mass. Both groups had lower bone mineral content (BMC). The difference for vegetarians attenuated after accounting for body size but remained in vegans (total body minus the head: –3.7%; 95% CI: –7.0, –0.4; lumbar spine: –5.6%; 95% CI: –10.6, –0.5). Vegetarians had lower total cholesterol, HDL, and serum B-12 and 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] without supplementation but higher glucose, VLDL, and triglycerides. Vegans were shorter and had lower total LDL (–24 mg/dL; 95% CI: –35.2, –12.9) and HDL (–12.2 mg/dL; 95% CI: –17.3, –7.1), high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, iron status, and serum B-12 (–217.6 pmol/L; 95% CI: –305.7, –129.5) and 25(OH)D without supplementation but higher homocysteine and mean corpuscular volume. Vitamin B-12 deficiency, iron-deficiency anemia, low ferritin, and low HDL were more prevalent in vegans, who also had the lowest prevalence of high LDL. Supplementation resolved low B-12 and 25(OH)D concentrations. Conclusions Vegan diets were associated with a healthier cardiovascular risk profile but also with increased risk of nutritional deficiencies and lower BMC and height. Vegetarians showed less pronounced nutritional deficiencies but, unexpectedly, a less favorable cardiometabolic risk profile. Further research may help maximize the benefits of PBDs in children.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Growth, body composition, and cardiovascular and nutritional risk of 5- to 10-y-old children consuming vegetarian, vegan, or omnivore diets

Desmond

Sobiecki

Jaworski

et al. 2021

The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition

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“…Studies indicate that vegetarian, including vegan, adults have a lower bone mineral density [ 49 ] and a higher risk for fractures [ 50 ]. Two cross-sectional studies confirmed a lower bone mineral density among vegetarian and/or vegan children [ 12 , 14 ]. However, in addition to calcium and vitamin D, several other dietary and non-dietary factors affect bone health and the relationship of vegetarian and vegan food patterns and bone health is complex and not yet fully understood.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…To our knowledge, after the publication of the aforementioned review, only a few more studies on vegetarian and vegan diets during growth have been conducted. Three of them were published by a Polish working group examining in a cross-sectional design the vitamin status, inflammation and bone health in vegetarian and/or vegan children [ 12 , 13 , 14 ]. Another two cross-sectional studies from Scandinavia compared the dietary intake and nutrient status of Swedish vegans and omnivores aged 6–20 years ( n = 30) [ 15 , 16 ], and of Finnish children ( n = 40, median age 3.5 years) on a vegan, vegetarian (including fish-eaters) or omnivore diet [ 17 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Nutrient Intake and Status of German Children and Adolescents Consuming Vegetarian, Vegan or Omnivore Diets: Results of the VeChi Youth Study

Alexy

Fischer

Weder³

et al. 2021

Nutrients

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There is a lack of data on associations between modern vegetarian and vegan diets and health among children and adolescents. The aim of the Vechi Youth Study was to cross-sectionally examine anthropometry, dietary intakes and nutritional status in a sample of 149 vegetarian, 115 vegan and 137 omnivore children and adolescents (6–18 years old, mean age: 12.7 ± 3.9 years). Group differences of dietary intake (calculated from three-day dietary records), nutrient biomarker and blood lipid concentrations were assessed using an analysis of covariance, adjusted for sex, age and other covariates. The total energy intake did not differ significantly between groups, but intake of carbohydrates was higher among vegetarians and vegans than among omnivores (p = 0.0002, respectively). The median protein intake exceeded 0.9 g/kg body weight/day in all diet groups and was lowest among vegetarians (p < 0.02). There was no significant difference of haemoglobin, vitamin B2, 25-OH vitamin D3, HDL-C and triglycerides blood concentrations between diet groups. Vegan participants had higher folate concentrations than vegetarian participants (p = 0.0053). Ferritin concentration was significantly higher in omnivores than in vegetarians (p = 0.0134) and vegans (p = 0.0404). Vegetarians had lower concentrations of holotranscobalamin (p = 0.0042) and higher concentrations of methylmalonic acid (p = 0.0253) than omnivores. Vegans had the lowest non-HDL-C and LDL-C concentrations in comparison to vegetarians (p = 0.0053 and p = 0.0041) and omnivores (p = 0.0010 and p = 0.0010). A high prevalence (>30%) of 25-OH vitamin D3 and vitamin B2 concentrations below reference values were found irrespective of the diet group. In conclusion, the Vechi Youth Study did not indicate specific nutritional risks among vegetarian and vegan children and adolescents compared to omnivores.

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“…Twelve articles ( 7 – 14 , 16 – 19 , 21 ) provided data on 1,630 cases, including 748 vegetarians and 882 non-vegetarians.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Bone loss, low height, and low weight in different populations and district: a meta-analysis between vegans and non-vegans

Zhou²,

Huang

et al. 2020

Food & Nutrition Research

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Popular scientific summary • There are three traditional dietary modes in Europe and the United States (Western, Mediterranean and vegetarian diets). Western dietary patterns are common in the United States, Canada and some countries in northern Europe. The carbohydrate energy supply ratio is only 25% and the fat energy supply is high, reaching 35% to 45%, in which the saturated fatty acid accounts for 18% in Western diets. In addition, the Western diet is high in protein and low in dietary fiber. Western dietary patterns are the main causes of metabolic diseases, such as obesity and type II diabetes in the United States [1]. • The Mediterranean diet (MD), as the name implies, is the diet of inhabitants of the Mediterranean, such as Italy and Greece. The MD is rich in whole grains, beans, fruits, vegetables, nuts and other plant-based foods. Olive oil is the main fat source in the MD, with moderate intake of fish and poultry and a relatively small intake of livestock, sweets and dairy products. Most adults drink wine. The energy supply ratio of the MD is 25% to 35%, in which the saturated fatty acid accounts for only 7% to 8% [2]. In addition, the MD is rich in dietary fiber and a low glycemic index, which can help prevent type II diabetes and cardiovascular disease [3]. • The vegetarian model can be divided into vegan, vegetarian and semi-vegetarian types, depending on the food that is eaten. Veganism refers to the elimination of all animal-based foods in the diet and a substantial intake of fruits, vegetables, beans, nuts and soy protein. The fat supply ratio is appropriate, but an omnivore consumes more polyunsaturated fatty acids than a vegan. Vegetarian diets are similar to those described above, but can include eggs and milk. Semi-vegetarian diets include red meat, poultry and fish, but not more than one time per week [4]. Studies have shown that vegetarians are at risk for a variety of important nutrient deficiencies, including protein, calcium, iron, iodine, vitamin D and vitamin B12, suggesting that a vegetarian diet has a negative impact on bone growth and development [5,6]. For this reason, the current study increased the sample size and improved the test efficiency through a meta-analysis to obtain more authentic and reliable analysis results, which helped to clarify whether a vegetarian diet has negative effects on bone growth and development, and provided evidence-based medicine for clinical diagnosis and treatment.

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Bone status and adipokine levels in children on vegetarian and omnivorous diets

Cited by 27 publications

References 42 publications

Growth, body composition, and cardiovascular and nutritional risk of 5- to 10-y-old children consuming vegetarian, vegan, or omnivore diets

Growth, body composition, and cardiovascular and nutritional risk of 5- to 10-y-old children consuming vegetarian, vegan, or omnivore diets

Nutrient Intake and Status of German Children and Adolescents Consuming Vegetarian, Vegan or Omnivore Diets: Results of the VeChi Youth Study

Bone loss, low height, and low weight in different populations and district: a meta-analysis between vegans and non-vegans

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