Health aspects of vegan diets among children and adolescents: a systematic review and meta-analyses

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#humans #child #adolescent #diet-vegan #child-preschool

Health aspects of vegan diets among children and adolescents: a systematic review and meta-analyses

Koller et al., 2024 | Crit Rev Food Sci Nutr | Meta Analysis

Citation

Koller Alina, Rohrmann Sabine, ... Keller Jeffrey W. Health aspects of vegan diets among children and adolescents: a systematic review and meta-analyses. Crit Rev Food Sci Nutr. 2024;64(33):13247-13258. doi:10.1080/10408398.2023.2263574

Abstract

Health effects of vegan diets among children and adolescents are a controversial public health topic. Thus, the aim of the present systematic review is to evaluate a broad range of health outcomes among vegan children and adolescents aged 0 to 18 years. 18 studies met the inclusion criteria (17 cross-sectional, 1 RCT). Meta-analyses showed lower protein, calcium, vitamin B2, saturated fatty acid, and cholesterol intakes, and lower ferritin, HDL and LDL levels as well as height in vegan compared to omnivorous children/adolescents. Higher intakes of carbohydrates, polyunsaturated fatty acids, fiber, folate, vitamins C and E, magnesium, iron, and potassium were observed in vegans. Blood levels of vitamin B12 were higher among vegan children due to supplement use. Single study results suggested further differences between vegan and non-vegan children, such as lower bone mineral content or urinary iodine among vegan children. Risk of Bias was rated as high or very high in 7 out of 18 studies. The certainty of evidence for the meta-analyses was low (n = 2) or very low (n = 46). Overall, the available evidence points to both risks and benefits associated with a vegan diet among children, although more and better designed studies are needed.

Key Findings

Overall, the available evidence points to both risks and benefits associated with a vegan diet among children, although more and better designed studies are needed.

Outcomes Measured

  • Requires manual extraction

Population

Field Value
Population See abstract
Sample Size 2
Age Range 0 to 18 years
Condition See abstract

MeSH Terms

  • Humans
  • Child
  • Adolescent
  • Diet, Vegan
  • Child, Preschool
  • Infant
  • Child Nutritional Physiological Phenomena
  • Nutritional Status
  • Dietary Supplements

Evidence Classification

  • Level: Meta Analysis
  • Publication Types: Journal Article, Systematic Review, Meta-Analysis
  • Vertical: folate

Provenance

Source extracted via PubMed E-utilities API on 2026-04-09