How Does Selenium Intake Differ among Children (1–3 Years) on Vegetarian, Vegan, and Omnivorous Diets? Results of the VeChi Diet Study
In regions with low selenium soil concentrations, selenium can be considered a critical nutrient for vegetarians and vegans. While the number of vegetarians and vegans is increasing in many countries, a large research gap remains in this field. For example, to date, no study seems to have assessed s...
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MDPI AG
2022-12-01
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| Series: | Nutrients |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6643/15/1/34 |
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| author | Stine Weder Esther H. Zerback Sina M. Wagener Christian Koeder Morwenna Fischer Ute Alexy Markus Keller |
| author_facet | Stine Weder Esther H. Zerback Sina M. Wagener Christian Koeder Morwenna Fischer Ute Alexy Markus Keller |
| author_sort | Stine Weder |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | In regions with low selenium soil concentrations, selenium can be considered a critical nutrient for vegetarians and vegans. While the number of vegetarians and vegans is increasing in many countries, a large research gap remains in this field. For example, to date, no study seems to have assessed selenium intake in vegetarian and vegan children. Therefore, the selenium intake of 1- to 3-year-old vegetarian, vegan, and omnivorous children who participated in the cross-sectional VeChi Diet study was determined. Selenium intake was assessed based on 3-day food diaries (not including supplements) and food selenium concentrations provided by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA). Between-group differences were assessed with analysis of covariance (ANCOVA). The median daily selenium intake was 17 µg, 19 µg, and 22 µg in vegetarian, vegan, and omnivorous children, respectively. However, only the difference between the vegan and omnivorous children was statistically significant. On average, all three groups met the harmonized average requirement (H-AR) for selenium of 17 µg/day. Nevertheless, the hypothesis that vegetarian and vegan children generally consume less selenium than omnivorous children could be confirmed, and 39% of vegetarians, 36% of vegans, and 16% of omnivores fell below the adequate intake for selenium (provided by EFSA) of 15 µg/day. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-09T09:43:31Z |
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| id | doaj.art-4e2ba5e8928a421f9160aeb26929b860 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2072-6643 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-09T09:43:31Z |
| publishDate | 2022-12-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Nutrients |
| spelling | doaj.art-4e2ba5e8928a421f9160aeb26929b8602023-12-02T00:45:33ZengMDPI AGNutrients2072-66432022-12-011513410.3390/nu15010034How Does Selenium Intake Differ among Children (1–3 Years) on Vegetarian, Vegan, and Omnivorous Diets? Results of the VeChi Diet StudyStine Weder0Esther H. Zerback1Sina M. Wagener2Christian Koeder3Morwenna Fischer4Ute Alexy5Markus Keller6Research Institute for Plant-Based Nutrition (IFPE), 35444 Biebertal, GermanyResearch Institute for Plant-Based Nutrition (IFPE), 35444 Biebertal, GermanyResearch Institute for Plant-Based Nutrition (IFPE), 35444 Biebertal, GermanyResearch Institute for Plant-Based Nutrition (IFPE), 35444 Biebertal, GermanyFaculty of Human Resources, Health & Social Work, University of Applied Sciences (FHM), 50674 Cologne, GermanyIEL-Nutritional Epidemiology, DONALD Study, University of Bonn, 44225 Dortmund, GermanyResearch Institute for Plant-Based Nutrition (IFPE), 35444 Biebertal, GermanyIn regions with low selenium soil concentrations, selenium can be considered a critical nutrient for vegetarians and vegans. While the number of vegetarians and vegans is increasing in many countries, a large research gap remains in this field. For example, to date, no study seems to have assessed selenium intake in vegetarian and vegan children. Therefore, the selenium intake of 1- to 3-year-old vegetarian, vegan, and omnivorous children who participated in the cross-sectional VeChi Diet study was determined. Selenium intake was assessed based on 3-day food diaries (not including supplements) and food selenium concentrations provided by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA). Between-group differences were assessed with analysis of covariance (ANCOVA). The median daily selenium intake was 17 µg, 19 µg, and 22 µg in vegetarian, vegan, and omnivorous children, respectively. However, only the difference between the vegan and omnivorous children was statistically significant. On average, all three groups met the harmonized average requirement (H-AR) for selenium of 17 µg/day. Nevertheless, the hypothesis that vegetarian and vegan children generally consume less selenium than omnivorous children could be confirmed, and 39% of vegetarians, 36% of vegans, and 16% of omnivores fell below the adequate intake for selenium (provided by EFSA) of 15 µg/day.https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6643/15/1/34child nutritionvegansvegetariansveganismmixed dietplant-based diet |
| spellingShingle | Stine Weder Esther H. Zerback Sina M. Wagener Christian Koeder Morwenna Fischer Ute Alexy Markus Keller How Does Selenium Intake Differ among Children (1–3 Years) on Vegetarian, Vegan, and Omnivorous Diets? Results of the VeChi Diet Study Nutrients child nutrition vegans vegetarians veganism mixed diet plant-based diet |
| title | How Does Selenium Intake Differ among Children (1–3 Years) on Vegetarian, Vegan, and Omnivorous Diets? Results of the VeChi Diet Study |
| title_full | How Does Selenium Intake Differ among Children (1–3 Years) on Vegetarian, Vegan, and Omnivorous Diets? Results of the VeChi Diet Study |
| title_fullStr | How Does Selenium Intake Differ among Children (1–3 Years) on Vegetarian, Vegan, and Omnivorous Diets? Results of the VeChi Diet Study |
| title_full_unstemmed | How Does Selenium Intake Differ among Children (1–3 Years) on Vegetarian, Vegan, and Omnivorous Diets? Results of the VeChi Diet Study |
| title_short | How Does Selenium Intake Differ among Children (1–3 Years) on Vegetarian, Vegan, and Omnivorous Diets? Results of the VeChi Diet Study |
| title_sort | how does selenium intake differ among children 1 3 years on vegetarian vegan and omnivorous diets results of the vechi diet study |
| topic | child nutrition vegans vegetarians veganism mixed diet plant-based diet |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6643/15/1/34 |
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