Title: Pediatric vegetarian diets are healthful, nutritionally adequate, and may provide health benefits in the prevention of obesity

Biography:

Joycelyn A.M. Peterson is a registered dietitian, presently professor and Director of Nutritional Sciences Program at Morgan State University, Baltimore, Maryland. Previously chair of Nutrition and Dietetics, Department and Dietetic Internship Director at Oakwood University, Huntsville, Alabama and was associate professor, chair of the Department of Family and Consumer Sciences at University of the Southern Caribbean (USC), Trinidad and Tobago, West Indies for over 5 years.

Abstract

Pediatric Vegetarian Diets Well-planned vegetarian diets are appropriate for individuals during all stages of the lifecycle, including pregnancy, lactation, infancy, childhood, and adolescence.  Vegetarian Diets in Perspective:  According to a nationwide pollin 2016, approximantely 3.3% of American adults are vegetarian or vegan and about 46% of vegetarians are vegan. Plant- based diets are becoming well accepted. The American Institute for Cancer Research encourages a plantbased diet. The 2015-2020 dietary Guidelines for Americans recommend a veretain approach for the National School Lunch Program.