Published in the BMJ Global Health journal, this new global study found that children and teenagers are generally not eating enough healthy plant-based foods such as fruits, vegetables, beans, legumes, nuts, and seeds. Carried out by researchers at Tufts University in the United States, the study analyzed more than 1,200 dietary surveys covering 185 countries between 1990 and 2018. Globally, the estimated intake of plant-based foods ranged from just 1.19 servings per day among children under one year old to 3.55 servings among 15-19-year-olds, with little difference between boys and girls.
Consumption varied considerably between regions and countries. Intake was lowest across all age groups in South Asia, while East and Southeast Asia generally had some of the highest levels. At the country level, Vietnam, Congo, and Mexico had the highest estimated intakes, while Spain, Pakistan, and the United Kingdom had the lowest. Although consumption increased globally between 1990 and 2018, South Asia was the only region where it declined. The researchers also found that intake generally increased with age, except in high-income countries.
The United States showed a particularly striking pattern, with children consuming relatively high amounts of healthy plant foods during infancy but substantially less as they grew older. Children under two ate an estimated 2.7 servings per day, compared with just 1.8 servings among those aged 2-19. Discussing the findings, senior author Dariush Mozaffarian commented: “When children don’t get enough of the right foods, it hurts their bodies and minds, limiting their energy, metabolism, learning, and mood.”
To read about the life-changing benefits of starting an organic fruit and vegetable garden, as experienced by one of the families taking part in our Movement of Life project in Zimbabwe, see this article on our website.
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In a new global analysis of childhood diets over nearly 30 years, researchers found that children around the world are still consuming low amounts of healthy plant-based foods.
[Source: tufts.edu]
[Image source: magnific.com]
Comment
Published in the BMJ Global Health journal, this new global study found that children and teenagers are generally not eating enough healthy plant-based foods such as fruits, vegetables, beans, legumes, nuts, and seeds. Carried out by researchers at Tufts University in the United States, the study analyzed more than 1,200 dietary surveys covering 185 countries between 1990 and 2018. Globally, the estimated intake of plant-based foods ranged from just 1.19 servings per day among children under one year old to 3.55 servings among 15-19-year-olds, with little difference between boys and girls.
Consumption varied considerably between regions and countries. Intake was lowest across all age groups in South Asia, while East and Southeast Asia generally had some of the highest levels. At the country level, Vietnam, Congo, and Mexico had the highest estimated intakes, while Spain, Pakistan, and the United Kingdom had the lowest. Although consumption increased globally between 1990 and 2018, South Asia was the only region where it declined. The researchers also found that intake generally increased with age, except in high-income countries.
The United States showed a particularly striking pattern, with children consuming relatively high amounts of healthy plant foods during infancy but substantially less as they grew older. Children under two ate an estimated 2.7 servings per day, compared with just 1.8 servings among those aged 2-19. Discussing the findings, senior author Dariush Mozaffarian commented: “When children don’t get enough of the right foods, it hurts their bodies and minds, limiting their energy, metabolism, learning, and mood.”
To read about the life-changing benefits of starting an organic fruit and vegetable garden, as experienced by one of the families taking part in our Movement of Life project in Zimbabwe, see this article on our website.
Dr. Rath Health Foundation
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