Prevalence of vegetarian diet among children and adolescents in Germany

Peer-reviewed Manuscript (original contribution) received: July 11, 2018 Revision accepted: November 12, 2018

Results from EsKiMo II

Introduction

Vegetarian diet, defined as a diet that is mainly or exclusively plant-based ( Table 1), has increasingly become a focus of public attention in recent years. Various studies show that the proportion of persons following a vegetarian diet continues to increase, also among adolescents [1]. However, current data does not allow reliable quantification of trends about vegetarian diet [2], especially among children and adolescents [3].

According to the “German Health Interview and Examination Survey for Adults” (DEGS, 2008–2011), 4.3% of women and men usually follow a vegetarian diet, with the proportion being the highest among 18- to 29-year-olds [4]. Among youngsters aged between 3 and 17 who participated in the “German Health Interview and Examination Survey for Children and Adolescents” (KiGGS baseline survey 2003–2006), 1.7% of the boys and 3.2% of the girls followed a predominantly vegetarian diet [2]. The most important reasons for adults to follow a vegetarian diet consider ethical and moral, health, ecological, and religious aspects [5, 6]. These different motivations also play a role during childhood and adolescence [7]. In addition, many children and adolescents adapt their parents’ behavior or want to set themselves apart from their parents by adopting a predominantly vegetarian diet [8].

Abstract

Vegetarianism has increasingly been placed in the focus of public attention, especially in recent years. Ten years after the first “Eating study as a KiGGS Module” (EsKiMo; 2006) the second nutritional study – EsKiMo II (2015–2017) was carried out. A total of 3.4% vegetarians (1.5% among 6- to 11-year-olds; 5.1% among 12- to 17-year-olds) was identified. Compared to EsKiMo I, the number of vegetarians among adolescents has increased. Vegetarians are more often girls between 12 and 17 years, more likely to be students at an upper secondary school [Gymnasium] and to come from families with high economic status. They less frequently eat school meals, are more likely to use dietary supplements and to exercise more than 2 hours per week than non-vegetarians.

More detailed analyses of the nutrient intake and eating patterns of adolescents following a vegetarian diet could determine deficits associated with a vegetarian diet among children and adolescents and possibly identify actions required.

Keywords: vegetarians, EsKiMo II, children and adolescents, plant-based diet, eating habits

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