Deakin University HSN715 Assignment: Vegetarian Diets in Children

This report, prepared by a student, analyzes the nutritional implications of vegetarian diets, particularly in children. The assignment reviews a systematic review by Schürmann, Kersting, and Alexy (2017), which examined various vegetarian diets (including lacto-vegetarian, ovo-vegetarian, and vegan diets) and their impact on children's health, highlighting positive outcomes like increased fiber intake and improved lipid profiles, alongside potential deficiencies in nutrients like iron and vitamin B12. The report identifies research gaps, such as the limited focus on developing countries and the need for more research on vegan diets, and proposes further research questions. The student aims to evaluate the nutritional status and antioxidant profiles of children consuming vegan diets, comparing them to omnivorous diets, and considering differences between developed and developing countries. The study suggests that vegan diets may lead to beneficial health implications compared to omnivorous diets and calls for additional research to address the identified gaps.

Running head: VEGETARIAN DIETS IN CHILDREN
VEGETARIAN DIETS IN CHILDREN
Name of the Student:
Name of the University:
Author note:

1VEGETARIAN DIETS IN CHILDREN
Introduction
There has been a widespread prevalence, in the adoption of plant-oriented diets.
However, there seems to be a dearth of evidence, about its nutritional adequacy for infants,
toddlers, children and adolescents (1).
The following review aims to summarize the salient findings of a research paper,
followed by an analysis of the possible research limitations and future research rationale for the
same.
Discussion
The following paragraphs aim to shed light upon the research findings with respect to a
review performed by Schürmann, Kersting and Alexy (2017).
Systematic review: Summary
The highlighted paper aims to evaluate the dietary and nutritional conditions of children,
infants and teenagers, who consume vegetarian diets, which included macrobiotic vegetarian,
lacto-vegetarian, ovo-vegetarian, lacto-ovo vegetarian and vegan diets. The review included
developed countries such as Australia, New Zealand, Northern America and parts of Europe,
between the years 1981 and 2013. Upon completion of the systematic review, it was revealed
that ingestion of vegetarian diets resulted in a number of positive health implications, as
compared to consumption of non-vegetarian diets. Some of the notable positive health outcomes
include an increased dietary fiber intake, a reduced susceptibility to weight gain, along with an
improved antioxidant and serum lipid profile. However, there was a prevalent incidence of
deficiency in nutrients such as iron, Vitamins D and B12 and iodine (1).

2VEGETARIAN DIETS IN CHILDREN
Research Gap
One of the primary limitations of this review is the inclusion of studies concerned only
with developed countries. The research highlighted data which were obtained during the late
1990s, hence emphasizing the absence of any form of follow up or research as per recent trends.
Majority of the studies reviewed in the paper, encouraged voluntary rather than random
sampling, hence focusing on the possibility of bias. There was negligible information regarding
the dietary implications of vegan diets (1).
Research Rationale
There has been an emerging prevalence in the adoption of ‘Veganism’, which requires a
systemic review of the health outcomes (2). Recent advances in nutritional information, has
heightened the need for consumption of nutrients such as antioxidants and omega 3 fatty acids,
which further necessitates a review assessing the consumption of the same, in individuals
consuming vegetarian diets (3). There is also a need for research on developing countries (4).
Aim
To evaluate the nutritional status of children consuming vegan diets, through systematic
review, as well as quantitative research, in comparison to consumption of omnivorous diets.
Research Question
 RQ1: What is the nutritional status of children consuming vegan diets?
 RQ2: What is the antioxidant profile of children consuming vegan diets?
 RQ3: Is there a difference in nutritional status, in vegans inhabiting developed and
developing countries?

3VEGETARIAN DIETS IN CHILDREN
Hypothesis
The consumption of vegan diets in infants, toddlers, children and adolescents, leads to
beneficial health implications, as compared to consumption of omnivorous diets.
Conclusion
Despite the extensive review conducted by Schürmann, Kersting and Alexy (2017), there
is a need for the conductance of further research, with respect to the nutritional status of vegan
diet consumption in developed as well as developing countries.

4VEGETARIAN DIETS IN CHILDREN
References
1. Schürmann S, Kersting M, Alexy U. Vegetarian diets in children: a systematic review.
European journal of nutrition. 2017 Aug 1;56(5):1797-817.
2. Castricano J, Simonsen RR, editors. Critical perspectives on veganism. Springer; 2016
Sep 13.
3. Sruthi G, Pillai HH, Ullas N, Jiju V, Abraham E. Role of Antioxidants in the
Management Diabetes Mellitus. International J Pharma Nanotech. 2017;10:1-5.
4. Kapil R. Bioavailability & absorption of Iron and Anemia. Indian Journal of Community
Health. 2017 Dec 31;29(4):453-7.