EFFECTS OF MACROBIOTIC DIETS ON LINEAR GROWTH IN INFANTS AND CHILDRENUNTIL 10 YEARS OF AGE

In order to study the relationship between diet and growth, we have as sessed growth patterns in children 0-10 years old on macrobiotic diets . A cross-sectional anthropometric study (0-8 years old children, n = 243) indicated that deviation from the reference growth curve occurred during the weaning period. Between 2 and 4 years there was a partial catch-up for weight and arm circumference but not for height. As a nex t step, a mixed-longitudinal study was performed in 4-18-month-old mac robiotic infants (n = 53) and matched omnivorous controls (n = 57). Fo r a period of 6 months, data on growth and dietary intake were collect ed. The data on linear growth supported the findings on growth stagnat ion observed cross-sectionally. Linear growth was associated with the protein content of the diet, but not with energy intake. On the basis of our findings nutritional modifications to the macrobiotic diet (add ition of fat and fish) were recommended for all macrobiotic families. Six months later (two years after the first cross-sectional data colle ction) the anthropometric study was repeated in the same cohort (n = 1 94). This follow-up study revealed that children from families which, since die initial study, had increased the consumption of fatty fish, dairy products, or both, had grown in height more rapidly than the rem aining children (P < 0.05). Since no indications were found for the pr esence of adverse social circumstances, infectious diseases or other c onfounding factors, our data clearly demonstrate that linear growth re tardation in children on macrobiotic diets is caused by nutritional de ficiencies alone.