Vegetarian Diets in Children and Adolescents

Vegetarian diets can provide appropriate and adequate nutrition for all stages of life. The key to success is accurate information and understanding of the subject matter. Because vegetarianism is a complex issue influenced by many different factors, it can be difficult to stay well informed. Numerous studies have shown several important health benefits for adult vegetarians. The job of pediatricians is to ensure that their pediatric patients reap the same health benefits as adults. • Based on strong research evidence, breastfeeding vegetarians should ensure that they are consuming adequate amounts of vitamin B12, folate, and omega 3 fatty acids. (4)(5)(6) • Based on strong research evidence, vegetarian children raised on a varied diet have normal growth and development measures. (7)(8)(9)(10)(11) (12)(16) • Based on strong research evidence, adolescent vegetarians choose vegetarianism for very different reasons than their adult counterparts, and their decision often is impulsive and without much forethought. (13)(14) • Based on strong research evidence, a food guide pyramid that is specific to vegetarians and takes into account the many subtleties of vegetarianism is important when counseling vegetarian patients. (15) • Based on strong research evidence, vegetarianism in adolescents can be a means of concealing an underlying eating disorder. (13) Copyright © 2009 by the American Academy of Pediatrics. All rights reserved.