Vegan Diet
Conditions
Brief summary
Following increased knowledge about climate change and how food production affects greenhouse gas emissions, the interest in vegetarian diets is increasing. In line with this, also vegan diet is becoming more common at all ages, including in young children. But the state of knowledge regarding the effect of this diet on children during infancy and early childhood has been poorly studied and existing literature consists to a large extent of case reports. With the main hypothesis that vegan diet from the introduction of complementary foods causes reduced bio availability of certain micronutrients important for development, the aim of this study is to examine dietary intake and development during the first years of life in a group of children eating vegan diet and compare with a reference group eating mixed diets. In an observational study, investigators plan to include 30 children before the age of 6 months during the years 2021-2026, where the parents have decided to offer their child only vegan food. The children are studied in comparison with a reference group of 30 matched cases regarding growth, nutritional status, and dietary intake. Data collection includes monthly dietary records and blood sample analyses and growth at 6, 12 and 24 months. At the age of 3, cognitive developmental assessment (WPSSI-IV) and an DEXA examination of body composition are performed. The study is expected to contribute to increased knowledge about the risk and benefits of vegan diets and thereby provide a better basis for future recommendations.
Interventions
None listed
Sponsors
Umeå University
Study design
Observational model
CASE_CONTROL
Time perspective
PROSPECTIVE
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
4 Months to 8 Months
Healthy volunteers
Yes
Inclusion criteria
* Planned exclusive vegan diet or mixed diet respectively from 6 months of age until at least 2 years of life * Exclusively (\>90%) breastfed until 4 months * Born term (GE 37+0 - 41+6) * Single birth * Birth weight \>2500 g * Apgar score 5 min \> 5
Exclusion criteria
\* A chronic disease affecting growth or neurodevelopment
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Concentration of Hemoglobin | 12 months of age | Blood |
| Body Weight (kg) | 12 months of age | measured weight at 12 mo using a device for measuring weight |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Wechsler Preschool & Primary Scale of Intelligence | 3 years of age | Scale for cognitive development. Expected mean 100. Higher scores equals better cognitive development. |
| Fat mass index | 3 years of age | FMI, measured by DEXA-scan |
| Lean mass index | 3 years of age | LMI, measured by DEXA-scan |
| Protein intake | at 12 months of age | 3 day food diary |
| Fat intake | at 12 months of age | 3 day food diary |
| Carbohydrate intake | at 12 months of age | 3 day food diary |
| Iron intake (mg/day) | throughout study | 3 day food diary |
| B12 levels | 6, 12, 24, 36 months | Serum sample |
| Zink level | 6, 12, 24, 36 months | Serum sample |
| D-vitamin levels | 6, 12, 24, 36 months | Serum sample |
| Calcium levels | 6, 12, 24, 36 months | Serum sample |
| Homocysteine levels | 6, 12, 24, 36 months | serum sample |
| Transferrin receptor concentration | 12 months of age | Serum sample |
| Transferrin saturation | 12 months of age | serum sample |
| Mean cell volume | 12 months of age | Blood sample |
| Ferritin | 12 months of age | Serum sample |
| Length of body | 12 months of age | measured length at 12 mo using measuring tool for children |
| Circumference of the head | 12 months of age | measured at 12 mo using measuring tool for children |
Countries
Sweden
Outcome results
None listed