Macrobiotic nutrition and child health: results of a population-based, mixed-longitudinal cohort study in 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.
Dagnelie
P C
PC
Department of Human Nutrition, Wageningen Agricultural University, The Netherlands.
van Staveren
W A
WA
D002118:Calcium / Q000172:deficiency; D015362:Child Nutrition Disorders / Q000209:etiology; D015623:Diet, Macrobiotic / Q000009:adverse effects; D002149:Energy Intake; D005260:Female; D006130:Growth Disorders / Q000209:etiology; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007227:Infant Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D009426:Netherlands; D011488:Protein Deficiency / Q000209:etiology; D012257:Riboflavin Deficiency / Q000209:etiology; D014806:Vitamin B 12 Deficiency / Q000209:etiology; D014808:Vitamin D Deficiency / Q000209:etiology
D002118:Calcium