Overview
- Researchers pooled 59 studies across 18 countries, covering more than 48,000 participants, including 7,280 lacto-ovo-vegetarians, 1,289 vegans and 40,059 omnivores.
- Children on vegetarian or vegan diets were generally leaner, with slightly shorter stature and lower BMI, fat mass and bone mineral content than omnivores.
- Both vegan and vegetarian groups showed more favorable cardiovascular profiles, including lower total and LDL cholesterol.
- Dietary patterns showed higher fiber, iron, folate, vitamin C and magnesium but lower energy, protein, fat, vitamin B12 and zinc, with vegan children noted for especially low calcium intake.
- Authors advise use of fortified foods and supplementation with clinician or dietitian support, and they call for more longitudinal research given the predominance of cross-sectional studies and heterogeneous methods.