British researchers: Vegetarian diet poses a risk to children's health

London-Sana

A recent study conducted by the Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health at University College, UK, has found that children following a vegetarian diet make their stature shorter and expose them to weak bones.

According to the British newspaper (Daily Mail), the results of the study indicated that children aged between five and ten years who eat a vegetarian diet are three centimeters shorter in stature compared to those who eat meat, and that the bones of vegetarian children are smaller and less strong, which exposes them to the risk of infection. fractures or osteoporosis later in life.

The study advised parents to be aware of the risks of vegetarian diets, emphasizing that vegetarian children should receive vitamin B12 and vitamin D supplements to reduce the potential long-term health consequences of a diet that includes only vegetables and fruits.

Lead researcher Professor Jonathan Wells said: “Our study provides insight into the health outcomes of children who follow a plant-based diet along with dairy and fats, a vegan or traditional diet,” explaining that 187 healthy children ranging from Their ages ranged from five to ten years, including 63 vegetarian children who eat dairy and dairy products and fats, 52 children who are completely vegetarian, and 72 who follow a diet that includes only meat, dairy and dairy products.

Wells added that the results showed that the average height of children who followed a vegetarian diet was three centimeters shorter and had BMD between 4 and 6 percent and were more than three times more likely to develop vitamin B12 deficiency than those who ate meat.

In turn, the researcher involved in the study, Professor (Marie Futrell), said: “The study recommends maximizing attention to bone health in children in order to reduce the risks of osteoporosis and fractures in the future,” indicating that the bone mass of vegetarian children was lower even after calculating their body size and smaller bones, which means that they They may enter adolescence, a stage when bone-specific nutritional needs are higher with a bone deficit already present, resulting in an increased risk of adverse adverse outcomes later in life.

Viotril added that the only positive aspect that was observed in vegetarian children is that the levels of harmful cholesterol in their bodies were 25 percent lower, in addition to lower levels of body fat in general, which means a reduced risk of cardiovascular diseases.