Development And Physical Fitness Of Vegetarian Children

This study of the health and energy levels of vegetarian children, adolescents, and young adults found that a lacto-ovo-vegetarian diet is sufficient to sustain adequate physical growth and maturation, though the researchers noted some difficulty in meeting energy requirements.

The growth, development, and physical fitness of vegetarian children, adolescents, and young adults were measured in this study and it was found that vegetarian children were as physically fit as the base reference group.

Vegetarian adolescents and young adults scored significantly lower on standing long jump and sit ups, although these groups also recovered significantly faster from the strep test.

All vegetarian subjects were within the normal puberty development range except for one female. It was also found that vegetarian subjects have lower relative body weights and skinfold thickness in adolescence than do non-vegetarians. Vegetarians scored lower on strength tests, though better on cardiorespiratory tests compared with base values.