Raising Children on a Vegan Diet: Parents’ Opinion on Problems in Everyday Life
Abstract
:1. Introduction
Aim of the Study
- uncover the difficulties (i.e., emotional barriers, differences in viewpoint, lack of support) perceived by parents in their relationship with PCPs regarding a VD. These findings may be useful for PCPs to improve the information exchange with parents;
- know the level of involvement of any nutrition professional (i.e., dietitian, nutritionist) at any stage during the planning of the infant/child’s diet;
- investigate the parents’ motivation and criteria in choosing a VD for their offspring, and the parents’ adherence to the main dietary recommendations for vegans;
- collect data on the major issues regarding the implementation of a VD in everyday life.
2. Materials and Methods
2.1. Study Design and Population
2.2. Questionnaire
- Section 1: Sample Characteristics. This section contained 6 questions to investigate who was completing the questionnaire (mother/father) and demographic variables such as age, place of origin, and educational level. Offspring’s sex and age were also assessed.
- Section 2: Parents-Primary Care Pediatricians Interaction. This section contained 11 questions with the purpose of understanding some key points: (1) Do parents tell their PCPs that they have adopted a VD for their children? If not, why? (2) How do parents perceive the PCPs’ attitude regarding a VD? (3) How do parents judge the quality of information provided by the PCPs about a VD?
- Section 3: Nutrition Counseling and Dietary Features. This section contained 12 questions. Parents were asked whether their children had been following a VD since weaning or had started later in life, and whether they had consulted any nutrition professional to plan the infant/child’s diet. The questions assessing the food groups regularly included in the children’s diet at home and the regular vitamin B12 supplementation were designed according to the vegan nutrition guidelines for mothers and children [11], published by a panel of experts belonging to the Scientific Society for Vegetarian Nutrition (SSNV).
- Section 4: Daily life issues of a Vegan Diet. This section contained 6 questions to assess problematic issues that parents and children may often face: difficulty in finding vegan meals out of home, availability of a vegan menu at school, criticism from family members/friends and social exclusion.
2.3. Data Analysis
3. Results
3.1. Sample Haracteristics
3.2. Parents-General Pediatricians’ Relationship
3.3. Reasons and Criteria in Choosing a Vegan Diet for Children
3.4. Food Groups, Vitamin B12 Supplementation and Purchase of Convenience Foods
3.5. Daily Issues of a Vegan Diet
4. Discussion
5. Conclusions
Supplementary Materials
Author Contributions
Funding
Informed Consent Statement
Acknowledgments
Conflicts of Interest
Abbreviations
References
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Authors | P.P./G.L. * | Review | Year | Highlights |
---|---|---|---|---|
Baldassarre, ME et al. [16] | ✔ | 2020 |
| |
Müller, P [17] | ✔ | 2020 |
| |
Redecilla Ferreiro, S et al. [18] | ✔ | 2019 |
| |
Rudloff, S et al. [19] | ✔ | 2019 |
| |
Baroni, L et al. [11] | ✔ | 2018 |
| |
Agnoli, C et al. [2] | ✔ | ✔ | 2017 |
|
Fewtrell, M et al. [5] | ✔ | ✔ | 2017 |
|
Schürmann, S et al. [20] | ✔ | 2017 |
| |
Melina, V et al. [12] | ✔ | 2016 |
| |
Craig, WJ [13] | ✔ | 2010 |
| |
Craig, WJ et al. [14] | ✔ | 2009 |
| |
Messina, V and AR Mangels [10] | ✔ | 2001 |
| |
Mangels, AR and V Messina [21] | ✔ | 2001 |
|
Parent Demographics | n = 176 | |
---|---|---|
Parent | • Mother • Father | 165 (93.8%) |
11 (6.2%) | ||
Age (years) | • 20–29 • 30–39 • 40–49 • >50 | 36 (20.5%) |
100 (56.8%) | ||
37 (21%) | ||
3 (1.7%) | ||
Place of origin | • Northern Italy • Central Italy • Southern Italy and islands | 103 (58.5%) |
47 (26.7%) | ||
26 (14.8%) | ||
Education | • Primary school • Middle school • High school or vocational school • Bachelor’s degree • Master’s degree/Doctoral degree, etc. | – |
6 (3.4%) | ||
58 (33%) | ||
83 (47.2%) | ||
29 (16.4%) | ||
Children Demographics | n = 188 | |
Sex | • Male • Female | 89 (47.3%) |
99 (52.7%) | ||
Age | • 6–24 months • 2–6 years • 6–10 years • >10 years | 78 (41.4%) |
81 (43.1%) | ||
13 (7%) | ||
16 (8.5%) | ||
Following a VD since … | • Weaning • 12–24 months • 2–6 years • 6–10 years • >10 years | 135 (71.8%) |
16 (8.5%) | ||
21 (11.2%) | ||
7 (3.7%) | ||
9 (4.8%) |
Question * | n = 188 | |
---|---|---|
Pediatrician’s sex | • Female • Male | 129 (68.6%) |
59 (31.4%) | ||
Pediatrician’s age (years) | • 30–39 • 40–49 • 50–59 • >60 | 20 (10.6%) |
46 (24.5%) | ||
74 (39.4%) | ||
48 (25.5%) | ||
Have you told your pediatrician about the vegan choice? | • Yes • No | 120 (63.8%) |
68 (36.2%) | ||
n = 68 | ||
If not, why? | • Fear of being judged • Pediatrician’s opposition • Not essential • Other • No answer | 19 (27.9%) |
19 (27.9%) | ||
20 (29.4%) | ||
9 (13.3%) | ||
1 (1.5%) | ||
n = 120 1 | ||
How would you describe the pediatrician’s attitude? | • Against, judgmental • Skeptical, dissuasive • Unfavorable, but understanding • Welcoming, reassuring | 16 (13.3%) |
25 (20.8%) | ||
44 (36.7%) | ||
35 (29.2%) | ||
n = 85 2 | ||
Pediatricians’ arguments against VD during childhood | • Micronutrient deficiencies • Protein deficiency • Ethical and biological reasons • No answer | 25 (29.4%) |
16 (18.8%) | ||
13 (15.3%) | ||
31 (36.5%) | ||
n = 188 | ||
Have you ever changed your pediatrician? | • Yes • No • No, but I felt the need to do it • No answer | 13 (7%) |
121 (64.4%) | ||
40 (21.3%) | ||
14 (7.4%) | ||
Have you ever asked your pediatrician for information on a VD? | • Yes • No | 33 (17.5%) |
155 (82.5%) | ||
How was the quality of information? | • Excellent • Sufficient • Insufficient | 7 (21.2%) |
9 (27.3%) | ||
17 (51.5%) |
Question * | n = 188 | |
---|---|---|
Which food groups do you regularly offer to your child? | • Fruits • Vegetables • Grains • Protein foods • Nuts and seeds • Fats and oils | 177 (94.1%) |
179 (95.2%) | ||
181 (96.3%) | ||
181 (96.3%) | ||
166 (88.2%) | ||
175 (93%) | ||
Does your child regularly take a vitamin B12 supplement? | • Yes (individual supplement) • Yes (multivitamin) • No | 164 (87.2%) |
12 (6.4%) | ||
12 (6.4%) | ||
How often do you buy convenience and ready-to-eat foods (e.g., burgers, cutlets, etc.) for your child? | • Often (2–3 times/week) • Occasionally (2–3 times/month) • Rarely (once a month) • Never | 12 (6.3%) |
51 (27.1%) | ||
61 (32.4%) | ||
64 (34%) | ||
In your opinion, is a VD more expensive than an omnivorous diet? | • Yes • No | 21 (11.2%) |
167 (88.8%) |
Question * | n = 188 | |
---|---|---|
What is the most unlikely place to find vegan meals? | • School • Restaurant, bar … • Family and friends’ houses • None • Other | 62 (33%) |
34 (18%) | ||
46 (24.5%) | ||
39 (21%) | ||
7 (3.7%) | ||
Does your child’s school cater for vegan pupils? | • Yes • No • I do not know 1 | 44 (23.4%) |
63 (33.5%) | ||
81 (43.1%) | ||
Has your child ever been socially excluded? | • Yes • No • No answer | 7 (3.7%) |
173 (92%) | ||
8 (4.3%) | ||
Have you ever been criticized (by friends/family/teachers) because of the vegan choice? | • No • Yes – Ethical and biological reasons – Protein deficiency – Micronutrient deficiency – Other – No answer | 69 (36.7%) |
119 (63.3%) | ||
72 (60.5%) | ||
20 (16.8%) | ||
12 (10.1%) | ||
11 (9.2%) | ||
4 (3.4%) |
Child’s Age. | Recommendation | Alternative |
---|---|---|
0–6 months | Exclusive breastfeeding [32] | Soy-based or rice-based infant formulas (type 1) [10,33]. |
6–12 months | Breastfeeding + solid foods [32] | Soy-based or rice-based infant formulas (type 2) + solid foods [10,33]. |
From 12 months | Breastfeeding + solid foods [32] |
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Bivi, D.; Di Chio, T.; Geri, F.; Morganti, R.; Goggi, S.; Baroni, L.; Mumolo, M.G.; de Bortoli, N.; Peroni, D.G.; Marchi, S.; et al. Raising Children on a Vegan Diet: Parents’ Opinion on Problems in Everyday Life. Nutrients 2021, 13, 1796. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu13061796
Bivi D, Di Chio T, Geri F, Morganti R, Goggi S, Baroni L, Mumolo MG, de Bortoli N, Peroni DG, Marchi S, et al. Raising Children on a Vegan Diet: Parents’ Opinion on Problems in Everyday Life. Nutrients. 2021; 13(6):1796. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu13061796
Chicago/Turabian StyleBivi, Daisy, Teresa Di Chio, Francesca Geri, Riccardo Morganti, Silvia Goggi, Luciana Baroni, Maria Gloria Mumolo, Nicola de Bortoli, Diego Giampietro Peroni, Santino Marchi, and et al. 2021. "Raising Children on a Vegan Diet: Parents’ Opinion on Problems in Everyday Life" Nutrients 13, no. 6: 1796. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu13061796