Is a Vegetarian Diet Safe to Follow During Childhood?

Yıl 2022, Cilt: 13 Sayı: 3, 540 - 550, 20.12.2022

Aslı Yiğit , Gülhan Samur

https://doi.org/10.22312/sdusbed.1109723

Cited By: 2

Öz

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 Most of the studies investigating the effect of vegetarian diets on children are outdated.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.

Anahtar Kelimeler

Children, nutritional status, vegetarian diet, vegan diet, health, safety

Destekleyen Kurum

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Proje Numarası

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Teşekkür

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Çocukluk Döneminde Vejetaryen Beslenme Güvenli mi?

Öz

Vejetaryenlik, et ve balık dahil olmak üzere tüm hayvan etlerinin diyetten dışlanması ile karakterize edilmektedir. Vegan diyet ise daha kısıtlı olup süt ürünleri ve yumurta dahil olmak üzere tüm hayvansal kaynaklı gıdalar dışlanmaktadır. Vejetaryen diyetlerin yaşamın tüm aşamalarında ve özellikle hızlı büyüme döneminde uygun olup/ olmadığı konusu sıklıkla sorgulanmaktadır. Gebelik ve emziklilik döneminde beslenme, yaşam boyu hastalık riskinin önemli bir belirleyicisi olduğu için potansiyel olarak değiştirilebilir bir risk faktörüdür. Bu nedenle, gebelikte ve emzirme döneminde annelerin yeterli ve dengeli beslenmeye teşvik edilmesi büyük önem taşımaktadır. Bebeklik, çocukluk ve ergenlik kritik dönemler olup, bu dönemlerde beslenme gereksinimlerinin karşılanması çok önemli hale gelmektedir. Vejetaryen ve vegan çocuklar n-3 yağ asitleri, B12 vitamini, D vitamini, kalsiyum, demir ve çinko gibi bazı besin ögesi eksiklikleri ile karşı karşıya olabilir. Ayrıca, bu dönemde edinilen beslenme alışkanlıkları ve beslenme düzeni, yaşamın ilerleyen dönemlerinde hastalık riskini etkileyebilmektedir. Vejetaryen beslenmenin çocuklar üzerindeki etkisini araştıran çalışmaların çoğu güncelliğini kaybetmiştir. Çocuklukta vejetaryen diyetlerinin güvenliği konusunda pek çok tartışma söz konusu olup yeterli uzunlamasına çalışma bulunmamaktadır. Bu derleme, çocuklarda vejetaryen diyetlerin etkilerine ve sağlık üzerindeki sonuçlarına odaklanmaktadır.

Anahtar Kelimeler

Çocuk, beslenme durumu, vejetaryen diyet, vegan diyet, sağlık, güvenlik, Children, nutritional status, vegetarian diet, vegan diet, health, safety

Proje Numarası

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Kaynakça

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