Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Vegan diets for women, infants, and children

  • Published:
Journal of Agricultural and Environmental Ethics Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Infants, children, adolescents, and pregnant and lactating women have been described as groups with special needs. Regardless of diet chosen, these groups are at higher risk for nutritional deficiencies than adult males. Vegan diets can be safely used by these groups if foods, and in some instances supplements, are selected which provide a healthful and nutritionally adequate diet. Guidelines have been developed for those choosing to follow vegan diets. In many instances vegan diets offer health benefits. Studies of vegans are limited by factors such as heterogeneity of diets, the size and extent of this type of study, and difficulty in subject identification. There is a scarcity of studies of “newer” vegetarians who are often more mainstream than the vegetarians of the 1960s and 1970s. In some instances this has led to assumptions about today's vegans which are based on out-dated information. Thorough scientific studies of today's vegetarians, especially of those in groups with special needs, are needed.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Abraham, S., C. Collins, and M. Nordsieck. 1970. Relationship of Child Weight Status to Morbidity in Adults.Public Health Reports 86: 273–284.

    Google Scholar 

  • American Academy of Pediatrics, Committee on Nutrition. 1993. Nutritional Aspects of Vegetarian Diets. InCommittee on Nutrition, Pediatric Nutrition Handbook, 3rd ed. Elk Grove Village, IL: American Academy of Pediatrics. pp. 302–313.

    Google Scholar 

  • American Dietetic Association. 1992.Eating Well-The Vegetarian Way. Chicago, IL: American Dietetic Association.

    Google Scholar 

  • —. 1993. Position of The American Dietetic Association: Vegetarian diets.Journal of the American Dietetic Association 93: 1317–1319.

    Google Scholar 

  • Birch, L. L. 1980. Effects of Peers Models' Food Choices and Eating Behaviors on Preschoolers' Food Preferences.Child Journal of Development 51: 489–496.

    Google Scholar 

  • Blix G. 1989. Vegetarianism in the United States of America. InFood Uses of Whole Oil and Protein Seeds, edited by E. W. Lusas, D. R. Erickson, and W. Nip. Champaign, IL: American Oil Chemist's Society. pp. 395–401.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bogart, L. J. 1943.Nutrition and Physical Fitness, 4th ed. Philadelphia, PA: W.B. Saunders Company.

    Google Scholar 

  • Brown, P. T., and J. G. Bergan. 1975. The Dietary Status of “New” Vegetarians.Journal of the American Dietetic Association 67: 455–459.

    Google Scholar 

  • Brown, R. F., C. C. Franklin, B. D. Ho et al. 1993. Dyslipidemia in Childhood. InTextbook of Pediatric Nutrition, 2nd ed., edited by R. M. Suskind, and L. Lewinter-Suskind. New York, NY: Raven Press, Ltd. pp. 295–308.

    Google Scholar 

  • Calkins, A. 1979. Observations on Vegetarian Dietary Practice and Social Factors: The Need for Further Research.Journal of the American Dietetic Association 74: 353–355.

    Google Scholar 

  • Carter, J. P., T. Furman, and H. R. Hutcheson. 1987. Preeclampsia and Reproductive Performance in a Community of Vegans.Southern Medical Journal 80: 692–697.

    Google Scholar 

  • Clemens, T. L., S. L. Henderson, J. S. Adams et al. 1982. Increased Skin Pigment Reduces Capacity of Skin to Synthesize Vitamin D3.Lancet 1: 74–76.

    Google Scholar 

  • Comstock, G. 1994. Introduction.Journal of Agricultural and Environmental Ethics 7: 1–6.

    Google Scholar 

  • Curtis, J. A., S. W. Kooh, D. Fraser et al. 1993. Nutritional Rickets in Vegetarian Children.Canadian Medical Association Journal 128: 150–152.

    Google Scholar 

  • Dagnelie, P. C., W. A. van Staveren, J. D. van Klaveren et al. 1988. Do Children on Macrobiotic Diets Show Catch-up Growth?European Journal of Clinical Nutrition 42: 1007–1016.

    Google Scholar 

  • Dallman, P. R. 1990. Iron. InPresent Knowledge in Nutrition, 6th ed., edited by M. L. Brown, ed. Washington, DC: International Life Sciences Institute-Nutrition Foundation. pp. 241–250.

    Google Scholar 

  • Dawson, E. B., J. Albers, W. J. McGanity. 1989. Serum Zinc Changes Due to Iron Supplementation in Teenage Pregnancy.American Journal of Clinical Nutrition 50: 848–852.

    Google Scholar 

  • Dewey, K. G., M. J. Heinig, L. A. Nommsen et al. 1992. Growth of Breast-fed and Formula-fed Infants from 0 to 18 Months: The DARLING study.Pediatrics 89: 1035–1041.

    Google Scholar 

  • Dietz, W. H. 1993. Childhood Obesity. InTextbook of Pediatric Nutrition, 2nd ed., edited by R. M. Suskind, and L. Lewinter-Suskind. New York, NY: Raven Press, Ltd. pp. 279–284.

    Google Scholar 

  • Dwyer, J. T. 1988. Health Aspects of Vegetarian Diets.American Journal of Clinical Nutrition 48: 712–738.

    Google Scholar 

  • —. 1993. Nutritional Implications of Vegetarianism for Children. InTextbook of Pediatric Nutrition, 2nd ed. edited by R. M. Suskind, and L. Lewinter-Suskind. New York, NY: Raven Press, Ltd. pp. 181–190.

    Google Scholar 

  • —, and F. M. Loew. 1994. Nutritional Risks of Vegan Diets to Women and Children: Are they Preventable?Journal of Agricultural and Environmental Ethics 7: 87–109.

    Google Scholar 

  • —, W. H. Dietz, Jr., G. Hass et al. 1979. Risk of Nutritional Rickets Among Vegetarian Children.American Journal of Diseases of Children 133: 134–140.

    Google Scholar 

  • —, W. H. Dietz, Jr., E. M. Andrews et al. 1982. Nutritional Status of Vegetarian Children.American Journal of Clinical Nutrition 35: 204–216.

    Google Scholar 

  • Fernandes, J., R. Dijhuis-Stoffelsma, P. H. E. Groot PHE et al. 1981. The Effect of a Virtually Cholesterol-free, High-linoleic Acid Vegetarian Diet on Serum Lipoproteins of Children with Familial Hypercholesterolemia.Acta Paediatrica Scandinavia 70: 677.

    Google Scholar 

  • Food and Nutrition Board. 1991.Nutrition During Lactation. Washington, DC: National Academy of Sciences.

    Google Scholar 

  • —. 1989.Recommended Dietary Allowances. 10th ed. Washington, DC: National Academy of Sciences.

    Google Scholar 

  • Freedman, D. S., C. L. Shear, G. L. Burke et al. 1987a. Persistence of Juvenile-Onset Obesity over Eight Years: The Bogalusia Heart Study.American Journal of Public Health 77: 588–592.

    Google Scholar 

  • —, S. R. Srinivasan, J. L. Cresanta et al. 1987b. Serum Lipids and Lipoproteins.Pediatrics 80(Suppl.): 789–796.

    Google Scholar 

  • Freeland-Graves, J. H., S. A. Greninger, and R. K. Young. 1986a. A Demographic and Social Profile of Age- and Sex-matched Vegetarians and Non-vegetarians.Journal of the American Dietetic Association 86: 907–913.

    Google Scholar 

  • ——, G. R. Graves et al. 1986b. Health Practices, Attitudes and Beliefs of Vegetarians and Nonvegetarians.Journal of the American Dietetic Association 86: 913–918.

    Google Scholar 

  • Fulton, J. R., C. L. Hutton, and K. R. Stitt. 1980. Preschool Vegetarian Children.Journal of the American Dietetic Association 76: 360–365.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gaddi, A., G. C. Descovich, G. Noseda et al. 1987. Hypercholesterolemia Treated by Soybean Protein Diet.Archives of Disease in Childhood 62: 674.

    Google Scholar 

  • George, K. P. 1990. So Animal a Human ..., Or the Moral Relevance of Being an Omnivore.Journal of Agricultural and Environmental Ethics 3: 172–186.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hagler, L. (Editor). 1978.The Farm Vegetarian Cookbook, rev. ed. Summertown, TN: The Book Publishing Company.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hambidge, K. M., N. F. Krebs, L. Sibley et al. 1987. Acute Effects of Iron Therapy on Zinc Status During Pregnancy.Obstetrics and Gynecology 4: 593–596.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hardinge, M. G., and F. J. Stare. 1954. Nutritional Studies of Vegetarians. I. Nutritional, Physical, and Laboratory Studies.American Journal of Clinical Nutrition 2: 73–82.

    Google Scholar 

  • Heaney, R. P., and C. M. Weaver. 1990. Calcium Absorption from Kale.American Journal of Clinical Nutrition 51: 656–657.

    Google Scholar 

  • Herbert, V. 1990. Vegetarianism. InThe Mount Sinai School of Medicine Complete Book of Nutrition. edited by V. Herbert and G. J. Subak-Sharpe. New York, NY: St. Martin's Press. pp. 415–427.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kerstetter, J. E., and L. H. Allen. 1990. Dietary Protein Increases Urinary Calcium.Journal of Nutrition 120: 134–136.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kushi, M. and A. Kushi. 1985.Macrobiotic Diet. Tokyo, Japan: Japan Publications, Inc.

    Google Scholar 

  • ——. 1986.Macrobiotic Child Care and Family Health. Tokyo, Japan: Japan Publications, Inc.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lamberg-Allardt, C, M. Karkkainen, R. Seppanen et al. 1993. Low Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D Concentrations and Secondary Hyperparathyroidism in Middle-aged White Strict Vegetarians.American Journal of Clinical Nutrition 58: 684–689.

    Google Scholar 

  • Linkswiler, H. M., M. B. Zemel, M. Hegsted et al. 1981. Protein-induced Hypercalciuria.Federation Proceedings 40: 2429–2433.

    Google Scholar 

  • Miller, D. R., B. L. Specker, M. L. Ho et al. 1994. Vitamin B-12 Status in a Macrobiotic Community.American Journal of Clinical Nutrition 52: 524–525.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mutch, P. B. 1988. Food Guides for the Vegetarian.American Journal of Clinical Nutrition 48: 913–919.

    Google Scholar 

  • Food and Nutrition Board. 1990.Nutrition During Pregnancy. Washington, DC: National Academy Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Nationwide Food Consumption Survey. 1984.Nutrient Intakes: Individuals in 48 States. Year 1977–78. Hyattsville, MD: Consumer Nutrition Division, Human Nutrition Information Service, USDA. Report no. I-2.

    Google Scholar 

  • Norman, A. W. 1990. Vitamin D. InPresent Knowledge in Nutrition, 6th ed., edited by M. L. Brown. Washington, DC: International Life Sciences Institute Nutrition Foundation. pp. 108–116.

    Google Scholar 

  • O'Connell, J. M., M. J. Dibley, J. Sierra et al. 1989. Growth of Vegetarian Children: The Farm Study.Pediatrics 84: 475–481.

    Google Scholar 

  • Pathobiological Determinants of Obesity in Youth Research Group. 1990. Relationship of Atherosclerosis in Young Men to Serum Lipoprotein Cholesterol Concentrations and Smoking.Journal of the American Medical Association 264: 3018–3024.

    Google Scholar 

  • Pluhar, E. 1993. On Vegetarianism, Morality, and Science: A Counter Reply.Journal of Agricultural and Environmental Ethics 6: 185–213.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ransom, R. 1990. 28 Day Meal Plan. InVegetarian Journal Reports, edited by D. Wasserman, and C. Stahler. Baltimore, MD: The Vegetarian Resource Group.

    Google Scholar 

  • Roberts, I. F., R. J. West, D. Ogilvie et al. 1979. Malnutrition in Infants Receiving Cult Diets: A Form of Child Abuse.British Medical Journal 1: 296–298.

    Google Scholar 

  • Robertson, L., C. Flinders, and G. Bronwen. 1976.Laurel's Kitchen. A Handbook for Vegetarian Cookery and Nutrition. Berkeley, CA: Nilgiri Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rose, M. S. 1919.Feeding the Family. New York, NY: The Macmillan Company.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sabate, J., M. C. Llorca, and A. Sanchez. 1992. Lower Height of Lacto-ovo Vegetarian Girls at Preadolescence: An Indicator of Physical Maturation Delay?Journal of the American Dietetic Association 92: 1263.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sanders, T. A. B. 1988. Growth and Development of British Vegan Children.American Journal of Clinical Nutrition 48: 822–825.

    Google Scholar 

  • Snowdon, D. A. 1988. Animal Product Consumption and Mortality because of all Causes Combined, Coronary Heart Disease, Stroke, Diabetes, and Cancer in Seventh-day Adventists.American Journal of Clinical Nutrition 48: 739–748.

    Google Scholar 

  • Solomons, N. W. 1986. Competitive Interaction of Iron and Zinc in the Diet: Consequences for Human Nutrition.Journal of Nutrition 116: 927–935.

    Google Scholar 

  • Stark, D., E. Atkins, D. H. Wolff et al. 1981. Longitudinal Study of Obesity in the National Survey of Health and Development.British Medical Journal 283: 12–17.

    Google Scholar 

  • Suskind, R. M., and L. Lewinter-Suskind (Editors). 1993.Textbook of Pediatric Nutrition, 2nd ed. New York, NY: Raven Press, Ltd.

    Google Scholar 

  • Truesdell, D. D., and P. B. Acosta. 1985. Feeding the Vegan Infant and Child.Journal of the American Dietetic Association 85: 837–840.

    Google Scholar 

  • —, E. N. Whitney, and P. B. Acosta. 1985. Nutrients in Vegetarian Foods.Journal of the American Dietetic Association 84: 28–35.

    Google Scholar 

  • U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. 1988.The Surgeon General's Report on Nutrition and Health. Washington, DC: U.S. Government Printing Office. pp. 539–593.

    Google Scholar 

  • Varner, G. 1994. In Defense of the Vegan Ideal: Rhetoric and Bias in the Nutrition Literature.Journal of Agricultural and Environmental Ethics 7: 29–40.

    Google Scholar 

  • Vyhmeister, I. B., U. D. Register, and L. M. Sonnenberg. 1977. Safe Vegetarian Diets for Children.Pediatric Clinics of North America 24: 203–210.

    Google Scholar 

  • Webb, A. R., L. Klin, and M. F. Holick. 1988. Influence of Season and Latitude on the Cutaneous Synthesis of Vitamin D3: Exposure to Winter Sunlight in Boston and Edmonton will not Promote Vitamin D3 Synthesis in Human Skin.Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism 67: 373–378.

    Google Scholar 

  • Zemel, M. B. 1988. Calcium Utilization: Effect of Varying Level and Source of Dietary Protein.American Journal of Clinical Nutrition 48: 880–883.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Nutrition Advisor, The Vegetarian Resource Group, Baltimore, MD

    Ann Reed Mangels & Suzanne Havala

Authors
  1. Ann Reed Mangels
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Suzanne Havala
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Mangels, A.R., Havala, S. Vegan diets for women, infants, and children. J Agric Environ Ethics 7, 111–122 (1994). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01997227

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01997227

Keywords

Search

Navigation