Journalartikel

Jahr der Veröffentlichung: 2022

Seiten: 1507-1520

Zeitschrift: European Journal of Nutrition

Bandnummer: 61

Heftnummer: 3

ISSN: 1436-6207

eISSN: 1436-6215

Open Access Status: Hybrid

DOI Link: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00394-021-02753-3

Verlag: Springer

Abstract: 
Purpose There is an ongoing debate whether vegetarian (VG) and especially vegan (VN) diets are nutritionally adequate in early childhood. Hence, the Vegetarian and Vegan Children Study (VeChi Diet Study) aimed to assess the food and nutrient intake of VG and VN infants. Methods The study examined the diets of 1-3-year-old VG, VN, and omnivorous (OM) children (n = 430). Dietary intake was assessed via a 3-day weighed dietary record and compared between groups using ANCOVA. Lifestyle data were collected using a questionnaire. Here, the results of micronutrient and fatty acid intakes are presented. Results Most nutrient intakes (with and without supplements) differed significantly between VN children and the two other groups, with a more favourable overall micronutrient intake in VN, followed by VG children, [e.g., the highest intake of vitamin E (8.3 mg/d vs. VG 7.4 mg/d and OM 5.1 mg/d), vitamin B-1 (569 mu g/d vs. VG 513 mu g/d and OM 481 mu g/d), folate (143 mu g/d vs. VG 116 mu g/d and OM 108 mu g/d), magnesium (241 mg/d vs. VG 188 mg/d and OM 164 mg/d), and iron (8.9 mg/d vs. VG 7.3 mg/d and OM 6.0 mg/d)] as well as fat quality [highest intake of polyunsaturated fatty acids (8.7 E% vs. VG 6.9 E% and OM 4.5 E%) and lowest intake of saturated fatty acids (9.1 E% vs. VG 11.9 E% and OM 14.0 E%)]. In contrast, OM children had the highest intake of vitamin B-2 (639 mu g/d vs. VG 461 mu g/d and VN 429 mu g/d), calcium (445 mg/d vs. VG 399 mg/d and VN 320 mg/d), iodine (47 mu g/d vs. VG 33 mu g/d and VN 31 mu g/d), and DHA (35.4 mg/d vs. VG 16.6 mg/d and VN 18.4 mg/d). Without supplementation, OM children had the highest average vitamin B-12 intake (1.5 mu g/d vs. VG 0.6 mu g/d and VN 0.2 mu g/d), whereas VN children had the highest average vitamin B-12 intake with supplementation (73.8 mu g/d vs. VG 1.3 mu g/d and OM 1.7 mu g/d). Without supplementation, none of the groups' median intakes met the harmonised Average Requirement (h-AR) for vitamin D and iodine. Moreover, VG and VN children did not achieve h-ARs for vitamin B-2, vitamin B-12, and iron-if a low absorption of iron is anticipated; VN children also did not do so for calcium. Conclusion In early childhood, VN and VG diets can provide most micronutrients in desirable amounts and a preferable fat quality compared to an OM diet. Special focus should be paid to (potentially) critical nutrients, particularly vitamin D, iodine, and DHA for all children regardless of diet, as well as vitamin B-2, vitamin B-12, calcium, and iron for VG and VN children. Trail registration This study was registered with the German Clinical Trials Register (DRKS00010982) on (September 2, 2016).

Harvard-Zitierstil: Weder, S., Keller, M., Fischer, M., Becker, K. and Alexy, U. (2022) Intake of micronutrients and fatty acids of vegetarian, vegan, and omnivorous children (1-3 years) in Germany (VeChi Diet Study), European Journal of Nutrition, 61(3), pp. 1507-1520. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00394-021-02753-3

APA-Zitierstil: Weder, S., Keller, M., Fischer, M., Becker, K., & Alexy, U. (2022). Intake of micronutrients and fatty acids of vegetarian, vegan, and omnivorous children (1-3 years) in Germany (VeChi Diet Study). European Journal of Nutrition. 61(3), 1507-1520. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00394-021-02753-3