Is a Vegetarian Diet Safe to Follow During Childhood?

Vegetarianism is characterized by the exclusion of all animal flesh foods from the diet, including meat and fish. The more restricted form is a vegan diet that excludes all animal-derived food, including milk, dairy products, and eggs. During past decades questions have been raised about whether vegetarian diets are suitable during all stages of life and during the fast growth period. Nutrition during pregnancy and lactation is a potentially modifiable risk factor as it is an important determinant of lifetime disease risk. Therefore, it is of great importance to encourage mothers to have adequate and balanced nutrition during pregnancy and lactation. Infancy, childhood, and adolescence are critical periods, and nutritional requirements become crucial to be met during this time. Children on vegetarian diets might be at risk of certain nutrient deficiencies such as n-3 fatty acids, vitamin B12, iron, and zinc. Furthermore, the nutritional habits acquired during this period may influence dietary patterns and the risk of disease later in life. Most of the studies investigating the effect of vegetarian diets on children are outdated. There is a lot of controversy regarding the safety of vegetarian diets in childhood, and more longitudinal studies are needed. This review focuses on the effects of vegetarian diets in children and the health consequences of vegetarian diets.