American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, Vol 59, 1187S-1196S, Copyright © 1994 by The American Society for Clinical Nutrition, Inc

ORIGINAL RESEARCH COMMUNICATIONS

Macrobiotic nutrition and child health: results of a population-based, mixed-longitudinal cohort study in The Netherlands

PC Dagnelie and WA van Staveren
Department of Human Nutrition, Wageningen Agricultural University, The Netherlands.

A population-based study on the nutritional status of children consuming macrobiotic diets was carried out in The Netherlands. Participants followed a macrobiotic diet based mainly on whole-grain cereals, pulses, and vegetables. Studies in children aged 0-10 y suggested that growth was retarded mainly between 6 and 18 mo. This was confirmed in a subsequent mixed-longitudinal study (including data on diet, anthropometry, blood chemistry, and pediatric examination) in 4- 18 mo-old macrobiotic infants and a matched omnivorous control group. Ubiquitous deficiencies of energy, protein, vitamin B-12, vitamin D, calcium, and riboflavin were detected in macrobiotic infants, leading to retarded growth, fat and muscle wasting, and slower psychomotor development. Breast milk from macrobiotic mothers contained less vitamin B-12, calcium, and magnesium. Supplementation of the macrobiotic diet with fat (minimum 20-25 g/d), fatty fish (minimum 100- 150 g/wk), and dairy products (minimum 150-250 g/d) is recommended.

This article has been cited by other articles:

				E. D. McLean, L. H. Allen, C. G. Neumann, J. M. Peerson, J. H. Siekmann, S. P. Murphy, N. O. Bwibo, and M. W. Demment Low Plasma Vitamin B-12 in Kenyan School Children Is Highly Prevalent and Improved by Supplemental Animal Source Foods J. Nutr., March 1, 2007; 137(3): 676 - 682. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				A. C Antony In utero physiology: role of folic acid in nutrient delivery and fetal development Am. J. Clinical Nutrition, February 1, 2007; 85(2): 598S - 603S. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				C. Koebnick, I. Hoffmann, P. C. Dagnelie, U. A. Heins, S. N. Wickramasinghe, I. D. Ratnayaka, S. Gruendel, J. Lindemans, and C. Leitzmann Long-Term Ovo-Lacto Vegetarian Diet Impairs Vitamin B-12 Status in Pregnant Women J. Nutr., December 1, 2004; 134(12): 3319 - 3326. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				J. H. Siekmann, L. H. Allen, N. O. Bwibo, M. W. Demment, S. P. Murphy, and C. G. Neumann Kenyan School Children Have Multiple Micronutrient Deficiencies, but Increased Plasma Vitamin B-12 Is the Only Detectable Micronutrient Response to Meat or Milk Supplementation J. Nutr., November 1, 2003; 133(11): 3972S - 3980. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				J. Sabate The contribution of vegetarian diets to health and disease: a paradigm shift? Am. J. Clinical Nutrition, September 1, 2003; 78(3): 502S - 507. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				A. C Antony Vegetarianism and vitamin B-12 (cobalamin) deficiency Am. J. Clinical Nutrition, July 1, 2003; 78(1): 3 - 6. [Full Text] [PDF]

				M. W. Louwman, M. van Dusseldorp, F. J. van de Vijver, C. M. Thomas, J. Schneede, P. M Ueland, H. Refsum, and W. A van Staveren Signs of impaired cognitive function in adolescents with marginal cobalamin status Am. J. Clinical Nutrition, September 1, 2000; 72(3): 762 - 769. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				M. Hebbelinck, P. Clarys, and A. De Malsche Growth, development, and physical fitness of Flemish vegetarian children, adolescents, and young adults Am. J. Clinical Nutrition, September 1, 1999; 70(3): 579S - 585. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				H. Niinikoski, J. Viikari, T. Ronnemaa, H. Helenius, E. Jokinen, H. Lapinleimu, T. Routi, H. Lagstrom, R. Seppanen, I. Valimaki, et al. Regulation of Growth of 7- to 36-Month-Old Children by Energy and Fat Intake in the Prospective, Randomized STRIP Baby Trial Pediatrics, November 1, 1997; 100(5): 810 - 816. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]