Vegan Diets and Infant Growth: Any Clues?
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By
February 5, 2026
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6 min
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1
Study analyzed growth in infants from various dietary households.
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99% were from omnivorous households.
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3
Early underweight risk was higher in vegan infants.
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4
Stunting prevalence similar across all diets by 24 months.
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5
Well-planned vegan diets can support healthy growth.
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6
Nutritional counseling is vital for vegan families.
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7
Data based on records from Family Child Centers.
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8
Study had limitations regarding data collection and dietary assessments.
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A nationwide retrospective cohort study led by Kerem Avital, MPH, examined growth patterns in infants from vegan, vegetarian, and omnivorous households using data from 1.2 million singleton infants born between January 2014 and December 2023. Initial differences in growth metrics were modest but diminished by 24 months. Infants from vegan households faced a greater risk of early underweight but reported similar stunting rates across all diets by 24 months. The study advocates for well-planned vegan diets with appropriate nutritional counseling to support healthy infant development.
-
1
Study analyzed growth in infants from various dietary households.
-
2
99% were from omnivorous households.
-
3
Early underweight risk was higher in vegan infants.
-
4
Stunting prevalence similar across all diets by 24 months.
-
5
Well-planned vegan diets can support healthy growth.
-
6
Nutritional counseling is vital for vegan families.
-
7
Data based on records from Family Child Centers.
-
8
Study had limitations regarding data collection and dietary assessments.
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