Summary
This meta-analysis examined the nutritional intake and health outcomes of lacto-ovo-vegetarian and vegan diets in children under 18 compared with omnivorous diets. The analysis included 59 studies with 48,626 participants worldwide.
Results showed that vegetarian and vegan children generally consumed less energy, protein, fat, vitamin B12, vitamin D, and zinc, but more fiber, iron, folate, vitamin C, and magnesium than omnivorous children. Vegans also had particularly low calcium intake. In terms of growth and body composition, vegetarian and vegan children tended to be leaner, with lower height, weight, BMI, fat mass, and bone mineral content, and vegans were often shorter with lower BMI.
Biomarker analyses indicated lower ferritin and vitamin D levels in lacto-ovo-vegetarians, and lower hemoglobin and ferritin in vegans, with higher risks of iron deficiency, anemia, and vitamin B12 deficiency. However, most nutrient levels remained within pediatric reference ranges, and both groups showed lower total and LDL cholesterol.
Overall, the study concludes that vegetarian and vegan diets in children can support health but require careful dietary planning and appropriate supplementation to avoid nutrient deficiencies.
PMID: 41382333
DOI: 10.1080/10408398.2025.2572983
Abstract
The health implications of lacto-ovo-vegetarian and vegan diets in childhood remain debated. This meta-analysis compares lacto-ovo-vegetarian and vegan diets with omnivorous diets across a wide spectrum of nutrients and health outcomes among children <18 years worldwide without chronic disease. Searches in MEDLINE, Embase, Scopus, and Web of Science up to March 2025 identified 59 studies including 48,626 participants (7,280 lacto-ovo-vegetarians, 1289 vegans, and 40,059 omnivores). Lacto-ovo-vegetarian children consumed less energy, protein, fat, vitamin B12, vitamin D, and zinc, but more fiber, iron, folate, vitamin C, and magnesium. Vegans showed similar patterns, with particularly low calcium intake. Growth and body composition indicated a leaner phenotype: lacto-ovo-vegetarians had lower height, weight, BMI z-scores, fat mass, and bone mineral content, while vegans had shorter stature and lower BMI z-scores. Biomarkers showed lower ferritin and 25(OH)D in lacto-ovo-vegetarians, and lower hemoglobin and ferritin in vegans. Although group averages for most nutrients and biomarkers remained within pediatric reference ranges, increased odds of iron deficiency and anemia were observed in lacto-ovo-vegetarians, and vitamin B12 deficiency in vegans. Both groups showed lower total and LDL cholesterol. These findings underscore the need for careful dietary planning and supplementation in lacto-ovo-vegetarian and vegan children.