Study: Children who eat a plant-based diet are more likely to be underweight

A group of researchers in Toronto, Canada presented a study that concluded that Children who eat a plant-based diet are more likely to be overweightCompared to those who eat meat regularly.

The main objective of this study was to examine the relationship between a vegetarian diet and growth and the level of nutrients in it children healthy, according to Visao magazine. Nearly 9,000 children between the ages of 6 months and 8 years participated in the study.

The likelihood of being thin is the only difference between children who eat a plant-based diet and those who eat meat. In terms of growth, height and the amount of nutrients, the values ​​\u200b\u200bbetween children are quite similar.

The investigation, led by Jonathan Maguire, who is also a physician at St. Michael’s Hospital at Unity Health Toronto aims to examine the relationship between levels of growth, micronutrients and serum lipids. According to the researcher, this is an unexplored area, especially in a period of time when the population that follows vegetarian diets is increasing.

In addition to BMI, height, and weight, doctors also measured levels of vitamin D and ferratin. Vitamin D is mostly found in fish and dairy products, and ferritin is the main protein that stores iron in the blood. Also in these indicators, no significant difference was found.

Of the participating children, whom the investigators followed for an average of 3 years, 248 were vegetarians at baseline, and another 338 became vegetarians or vegans during the study period.

In this group, they were almost twice as likely to be underweight. Doctors do not advise against a vegetarian diet, as long as it is well-regulated with the necessary follow-up to reduce the need for a fortification of certain nutrients.

May 4, 2022