J Adolesc Health. 1996 Apr; 18(4): 292-300.

Dietary intakes of adolescent females consuming vegetarian, semi-vegetarian, and omnivorous diets.

Donovan UM, Gibson RS.

Education and Research Division, Middlesex-London Health Unit, London, Ontario, Canada.

PURPOSE: To determine the energy and nutrient intakes of some omnivorous and vegetarian female adolescents to compare their risk for nutrient inadequacies. METHODS: A convenience sample of 78 lacto-ovo-vegetarians (LOV), 15 semi-vegetarians (SV), and 29 omnivorous (OM) females aged 14-19 years completed three-day weighed records from which mean intakes and major food sources of energy, nutrients, and dietary fiber (as nonstarch polysaccharides (NSP)) were calculated. RESULTS: Mean daily intakes for energy and most nutrients were comparable for the three groups although LOV had higher intakes (p < 0.01) of NSP, copper, and manganese. Lacto-ovo-vegetarians consumed (g/d) less dairy products, flesh foods, and sweets but more legumes, nuts, and vegetables. Major food sources were cereal products for energy, most nutrients, NSP, dairy products for calcium, and fruits and vegetables for vitamin C. More LOV and SV had energy intakes less than two-thirds of Canadian recommendations, and higher probability estimates of inadequacy for protein, calcium, iron, zinc, and riboflavin than OM. Fewer LOV (35%) than SV (53%) and OM (41%) had diets with less than 30% energy from fat. CONCLUSIONS: LOV and SV were more at risk for nutrient inadequacies than OM, although about 33% of OM were also at risk for inadequate intakes of iron and zinc.