Dietary intake and nutritional status of vegetarian and omnivorous preschool children and their parents in Taiwan. 2008

Chin-En Yen, and Chi-Hua Yen, and Men-Chung Huang, and Chien-Hsiang Cheng, and Yi-Chia Huang
Department of Early Childhood Development and Education, Chaoyang University of Technology, Taichung 413, Taiwan.

The aim of this study was to assess and compare dietary intake and nutritional status of vegetarian and omnivorous preschool children and their parents. Fifty-six omnivores (28 children and 28 parents) and 42 vegetarians (21 preschool children with 18 lacto-ovo-vegetarians and 3 ovo-vegetarians; 21 parents with 16 lacto-ovo-vegetarians, 2 ovo-vegetarians, 1 lacto-vegetarian, and 2 vegans) were recruited. Anthropometric measurements were taken; body mass index and weight-for-height index (WHI) were calculated. Nutrient intake was recorded using 3-day dietary records. Fasting venous blood samples were obtained to estimate hematologic and vitamin status parameters. Height, weight, body mass index, WHI, and triceps skinfold thickness value differences between omnivores and vegetarians in both parent and child groups were not found. Both omnivorous parents and their children had significantly higher fat and lower fiber intakes than vegetarian parents and children. Omnivorous children had significantly higher protein and lower vitamin C intakes than vegetarian children, whereas omnivorous parents had significantly lower vitamin A and iron intakes than vegetarian parents. Vegetarians and omnivores in both parent and child groups had mean calcium consumption less than 75% of the Taiwan dietary intakes. All mean hematologic and biochemical nutrient status indices were within the reference range in any groups. However, both vegetarian parents and children had significantly lower mean total cholesterol and serum ferritin concentrations than those of omnivorous parents and children. Our vegetarian and omnivorous preschool children had normal growth and adequate nutritional status. However, both parents and children had inadequate calcium intakes, which may potentially affect bone health, especially for preschool children in the growing stage.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D008297 Male Males
D009752 Nutritional Status State of the body in relation to the consumption and utilization of nutrients. Nutrition Status,Status, Nutrition,Status, Nutritional
D001827 Body Height The distance from the sole to the crown of the head with body standing on a flat surface and fully extended. Body Heights,Height, Body,Heights, Body
D001835 Body Weight The mass or quantity of heaviness of an individual. It is expressed by units of pounds or kilograms. Body Weights,Weight, Body,Weights, Body
D002149 Energy Intake Total number of calories taken in daily whether ingested or by parenteral routes. Caloric Intake,Calorie Intake,Intake, Calorie,Intake, Energy
D002648 Child A person 6 to 12 years of age. An individual 2 to 5 years old is CHILD, PRESCHOOL. Children
D002675 Child, Preschool A child between the ages of 2 and 5. Children, Preschool,Preschool Child,Preschool Children
D004032 Diet Regular course of eating and drinking adopted by a person or animal. Diets
D004040 Dietary Carbohydrates Carbohydrates present in food comprising digestible sugars and starches and indigestible cellulose and other dietary fibers. The former are the major source of energy. The sugars are in beet and cane sugar, fruits, honey, sweet corn, corn syrup, milk and milk products, etc.; the starches are in cereal grains, legumes (FABACEAE), tubers, etc. (From Claudio & Lagua, Nutrition and Diet Therapy Dictionary, 3d ed, p32, p277) Carbohydrates, Dietary,Carbohydrate, Dietary,Dietary Carbohydrate
D004041 Dietary Fats Fats present in food, especially in animal products such as meat, meat products, butter, ghee. They are present in lower amounts in nuts, seeds, and avocados. Fats, Dietary,Dietary Fat,Fat, Dietary

Related Publications

Chin-En Yen, and Chi-Hua Yen, and Men-Chung Huang, and Chien-Hsiang Cheng, and Yi-Chia Huang
January 2019, BMC nutrition,
Chin-En Yen, and Chi-Hua Yen, and Men-Chung Huang, and Chien-Hsiang Cheng, and Yi-Chia Huang
September 2020, Scientific reports,
Chin-En Yen, and Chi-Hua Yen, and Men-Chung Huang, and Chien-Hsiang Cheng, and Yi-Chia Huang
April 1980, Journal of the American Dietetic Association,
Chin-En Yen, and Chi-Hua Yen, and Men-Chung Huang, and Chien-Hsiang Cheng, and Yi-Chia Huang
July 2002, Indian pediatrics,
Chin-En Yen, and Chi-Hua Yen, and Men-Chung Huang, and Chien-Hsiang Cheng, and Yi-Chia Huang
February 1982, The American journal of clinical nutrition,
Chin-En Yen, and Chi-Hua Yen, and Men-Chung Huang, and Chien-Hsiang Cheng, and Yi-Chia Huang
January 2013, Annals of nutrition & metabolism,
Chin-En Yen, and Chi-Hua Yen, and Men-Chung Huang, and Chien-Hsiang Cheng, and Yi-Chia Huang
September 1999, East African medical journal,
Chin-En Yen, and Chi-Hua Yen, and Men-Chung Huang, and Chien-Hsiang Cheng, and Yi-Chia Huang
April 2019, Clinical nutrition (Edinburgh, Scotland),
Chin-En Yen, and Chi-Hua Yen, and Men-Chung Huang, and Chien-Hsiang Cheng, and Yi-Chia Huang
November 1968, The American journal of clinical nutrition,
Chin-En Yen, and Chi-Hua Yen, and Men-Chung Huang, and Chien-Hsiang Cheng, and Yi-Chia Huang
March 2014, Nutrients,
Copied contents to your clipboard!