A new global study has found that children following vegetarian and vegan diets tend to be shorter and lighter than their meat-eating peers, though plant-based diets can still support healthy growth if key nutrients are supplemented.
Researchers from the US, Italy, and Australia analysed 59 prior studies covering more than 48,000 children and adolescents across 18 countries. The study compared 7,280 vegetarians, 1,289 vegans, and 40,059 omnivores, examining height, weight, body mass index (BMI), fat mass, and bone mineral content.
The results showed that, on average, vegetarian children were 1.19 cm shorter and 0.69 kg lighter than omnivores, while vegan children were 3.64 cm shorter and 1.17 kg lighter. Both groups had lower BMI, reflecting a leaner growth profile, and lower fat mass and bone mineral content.
Plant-based diets are typically lower in essential nutrients such as calcium, vitamin B12, iodine, iron, and zinc, which are particularly important during periods of rapid growth. However, the study noted that vegetarian and vegan diets also offer health advantages, including better cardiovascular health, with lower total and LDL (“bad”) cholesterol.
“Vegetarian and vegan diets can support healthy growth in children, but there is a risk of deficiencies if key nutrients are not obtained through supplements,” said Professor Monica Dinu of the University of Florence. “Families need to pay close attention to nutrients such as vitamin B12, calcium, iodine, iron, and zinc to ensure children thrive.”
Children on vegetarian diets consumed more fibre, folate, vitamin C, magnesium, and iron than omnivores, but had lower intakes of energy, protein, fat, vitamin B12, and zinc. Vegan children showed similar patterns, with particularly low calcium intake.
Dr Wolfgang Marx of Deakin University in Australia added: “Well-planned vegetarian and vegan diets are nutritionally adequate and beneficial for adults, but their suitability for children requires careful planning and supplementation.”
The study, published in Critical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition, emphasises that while plant-based diets can provide ethical, environmental, and health benefits, parents should take an informed approach, seek clinical advice, and use supplements where necessary to ensure balanced nutrition for their children.
The researchers concluded that, with proper planning, vegetarian and vegan diets can safely support healthy growth while offering additional benefits such as heart health.
