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.
The evidence indicates that vegan, but not vegetarian, diets can restrict growth relative to omnivorous children and increase the risk of being stunted and underweight, although the percentage affected is relatively small.
Detailed analysis of serum metabolomics and biomarkers indicated vitamin A insufficiency and border‐line sufficient vitamin D in all vegan participants. Their serum total, HDL and LDL cholesterol, essential amino acid, and docosahexaenoic n‐3 fatty acid (DHA) levels were markedly low and primary bile acid biosynthesis, and phospholipid balance was distinct from omnivores. Possible combination of low vitamin A and DHA status raise concern for their visual health.
Both groups [vegans and vegetarians] 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.
Adults are a little more resilient and some can survive on a carefully designed vegan diet.
It is the position of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics that appropriately planned vegetarian, including vegan, diets are healthful, nutritionally adequate, and may provide health benefits for the prevention and treatment of certain diseases. These diets are appropriate for all stages of the life cycle, including pregnancy, lactation, infancy, childhood, adolescence, older adulthood, and for athletes. Plant-based diets are more environmentally sustainable than diets rich in animal products because they use fewer natural resources and are associated with much less environmental damage. Vegetarians and vegans are at reduced risk of certain health conditions, including ischemic heart disease, type 2 diabetes, hypertension, certain types of cancer, and obesity. Low intake of saturated fat and high intakes of vegetables, fruits, whole grains, legumes, soy products, nuts, and seeds (all rich in fiber and phytochemicals) are characteristics of vegetarian and vegan diets that produce lower total and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels and better serum glucose control. These factors contribute to reduction of chronic disease. Vegans need reliable sources of vitamin B-12, such as fortified foods or supplements.
This position is in effect until December 31, 2021.
The position statement you have cited has expired, and their new position statement walks back and DOES NOT ENDORSE this eating pattern for lactating women, infants, and children. I want to remind everyone the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics is a philosophical organization that is 100% pushing a plant based agenda, so if the strongest supporters can’t find a way to justify their goal, its a very clear signal.
The association is funded by a number of food multinationals, pharmaceutical companies, and food industry lobbying groups, such as the National Confectioners Association. The Academy has faced controversy regarding corporate influence and its relationship with the food industry and funding from corporate groups such as McDonald’s, Coca-Cola, Mars, and others.
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During fiscal year 2015, the organisation received $1.1 million in corporate sponsorship’s from companies like General Mills, Coca-Cola and Pepsi Co via donations, joint initiatives, and programs.
Emphasis mine. As always, it’s important to view all organizations in the context of their relationship with other larger and more influential organizations.
Isabelle Thiebaut, a co-author of the opinion and president of an European organization for dieticians, said that it is important to explain to parents about “weight-loss and psychomotor delays, undernutrition, anemia” and other possible nutritional shortfalls caused by a vegan diet for children.
I have more of these. Veganism is generally not recommended by health professionals across the world for children. I’m sure you can find some authorities which disagree, but they are in the minority. I’ve provided peer reviewed research showing a clear health risk for children. Not every child who is raised on a vegan diet will suffer health issues, but it is an unnecessary risk, and some of the potential issues are permanent.
You need people to choose it. Pricing dairy and meat away from the masses makes it a social inequality thing. I don’t think that is the answer anyone wants. It can’t be a hair shirt thing. (Though if history is to go by, there will be affordable meat from somewhere, legal or not.)
It has got to be a better option thing. Like EVs vs ICE. Climate and pollution advantages are nice, but it’s 10x running cost difference that sells EVs. It has to be a jam today option.
Dairy and meat are important components of the diets of children.
Health aspects of vegan diets among children and adolescents: a systematic review and meta-analyses
Plant-Based Diets in Children: Secular Trends, Health Outcomes, and a Roadmap for Urgent Practice Recommendations and Research - A Systematic Review
Vegan diet in young children remodels metabolism and challenges the statuses of essential nutrients
Growth, body composition, and cardiovascular and nutritional risk of 5- to 10-y-old children consuming vegetarian, vegan, or omnivore diets
Adults are a little more resilient and some can survive on a carefully designed vegan diet.
https://www.jandonline.org/article/S2212-2672(16)31192-3/abstract
The position statement you have cited has expired, and their new position statement walks back and DOES NOT ENDORSE this eating pattern for lactating women, infants, and children. I want to remind everyone the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics is a philosophical organization that is 100% pushing a plant based agenda, so if the strongest supporters can’t find a way to justify their goal, its a very clear signal.
Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics
…
Emphasis mine. As always, it’s important to view all organizations in the context of their relationship with other larger and more influential organizations.
The German Nutrition Society, DGE (Deutsche Gesellschaft für Ernährung) explicitly does not recommend a vegan diet for pregnant women, infants, children, or adolescents, citing insufficient data for these groups.
The German Society for Paediatric and Adolescent Medicine, Polish National Consultant in the Field of Paediatrics and Spanish Paediatric Association do not recommend vegan diets during infancy or childhood.
The Swiss Federal Commission for Nutrition does not recommend vegan diets for pregnant women, infants, children, or older adults due to concerns about nutritional deficiencies in the absence of sufficient evidence.
The Belgium’s Royal Academy of Medicine advised that children, teenagers, pregnant women, and breastfeeding mothers should not follow a vegan diet. They described it as “restrictive” and potentially leading to developmental and nutritional issues if not carefully managed.
The Spanish Paediatric Association advises against a vegan diet for infants and young children.
The Italian Society of Preventive and Social Pediatrics (SIPPS), together with the Italian Federation of Pediatricians (FIMP) and the Italian Society of Perinatal Medicine (SIMP) issued a joint position paper which concluded that vegan diets cannot be recommended for children because the diet leads to deficiencies in vitamin B12, calcium, DHA, iron and vitamin D. When these nutrients are missing, it negatively affects children’s growth and neurocognitive development.
I have more of these. Veganism is generally not recommended by health professionals across the world for children. I’m sure you can find some authorities which disagree, but they are in the minority. I’ve provided peer reviewed research showing a clear health risk for children. Not every child who is raised on a vegan diet will suffer health issues, but it is an unnecessary risk, and some of the potential issues are permanent.
Citation 2 and 6 just go to wikipedia, perhaps that is a oversight?
You need people to choose it. Pricing dairy and meat away from the masses makes it a social inequality thing. I don’t think that is the answer anyone wants. It can’t be a hair shirt thing. (Though if history is to go by, there will be affordable meat from somewhere, legal or not.)
It has got to be a better option thing. Like EVs vs ICE. Climate and pollution advantages are nice, but it’s 10x running cost difference that sells EVs. It has to be a jam today option.
lol