A 2026 study of 2,508 children found that vegan children are significantly shorter and lighter than vegetarian and meat-eating peers, with lower levels of growth hormones IGF-1 and IGFBP-3. Vegan children averaged 0.59 standard deviations shorter than vegetarian children, and both plant-based groups showed reduced growth hormone levels. According to Gram Research analysis, while these differences are measurable, they don’t necessarily indicate harm, but suggest that families choosing plant-based diets should work with healthcare providers to ensure adequate nutrition for optimal growth.
A large study of over 2,500 children found that kids eating vegan diets tend to be shorter and weigh less than children eating meat or vegetarian diets. Researchers measured height, weight, and special growth hormones in the blood called IGF-1 and IGFBP-3. Vegan children had lower levels of these growth hormones compared to vegetarian and meat-eating children. While the differences were noticeable, the study doesn’t prove that plant-based diets are harmful, just that they affect how children grow differently. Parents choosing plant-based diets for their kids should work with doctors to ensure proper nutrition.
Key Statistics
A 2026 cross-sectional study of 2,508 children published in the European Journal of Nutrition found that vegan children were 0.59 standard deviations shorter than vegetarian children after adjusting for pubertal status.
According to the same 2026 study of 2,508 children, vegan children had BMI measurements 1.01 standard deviations lower than vegetarian children, with meat-eating children showing the highest average BMI at 0.32 standard deviations above normal.
A 2026 analysis of 7,344 serum samples from 2,508 children revealed that vegan children had IGF-1 growth hormone levels 0.52 standard deviations lower than both vegetarian and omnivorous children.
The 2026 study found that IGFBP-3 growth hormone levels were 0.75 standard deviations lower in vegan children compared to vegetarian children, with vegetarian children also showing 0.18 standard deviations lower levels than meat-eating children.
The Quick Take
- What they studied: Whether children eating vegan, vegetarian, or meat-based diets grow differently and have different levels of growth hormones in their blood.
- Who participated: 2,508 healthy children and teenagers ranging from 3 months to 19 years old. Researchers compared blood samples and body measurements from children following three different eating patterns: vegan (no animal products), vegetarian (no meat but includes dairy and eggs), and omnivorous (eating all foods including meat).
- Key finding: Vegan children were noticeably shorter than vegetarian children, and both vegan and vegetarian children had lower levels of growth hormones (IGF-1 and IGFBP-3) compared to meat-eating children. Vegan children also weighed less relative to their height than other groups.
- What it means for you: If your family follows a plant-based diet, your child may grow at a different rate than peers eating meat. This doesn’t necessarily mean the diet is unhealthy, but it suggests careful attention to nutrition is important. Talk with your pediatrician about ensuring your child gets enough protein, iron, vitamin B12, and other nutrients needed for growth.
The Research Details
Researchers collected blood samples and body measurements from 2,508 children over many years as part of the LIFE Child study, a long-term health research project. They compared three groups: children eating only plants (vegan), children eating plants plus dairy and eggs (vegetarian), and children eating all foods including meat (omnivorous). The scientists carefully matched children in each group by age and other factors to make fair comparisons. They measured height, weight, and two important growth hormones in the blood: IGF-1 and IGFBP-3, which doctors use to track how well children are growing and developing.
Growth hormones like IGF-1 and IGFBP-3 are reliable markers of how well a child’s body is developing. By measuring these hormones along with actual height and weight, researchers can understand whether dietary differences affect not just how big children get, but also the biological processes controlling their growth. This approach is more thorough than just measuring height and weight alone.
This study is strong because it included a large number of children (2,508) and carefully measured both physical growth and blood hormone levels. The researchers used statistical methods to account for age differences and other factors that might affect results. However, the study is observational, meaning it shows associations but cannot prove that diet directly causes the differences in growth. Children choosing different diets may differ in other ways (genetics, overall health, activity level) that also affect growth.
What the Results Show
Vegan children were significantly shorter than vegetarian children, with an average difference of about 0.59 standard deviations (a statistical measure of difference). This remained true even after accounting for whether children had reached puberty. Vegetarian children were not noticeably shorter than meat-eating children. When looking at weight relative to height (BMI), vegan children had the lowest measurements, vegetarian children were in the middle, and meat-eating children had the highest. Vegan children’s BMI was about 1.01 standard deviations lower than vegetarian children’s. The meat-eating group had an average BMI that was 0.32 standard deviations above normal for their age.
Growth hormone levels (IGF-1) were lowest in vegan children, intermediate in vegetarian children, and highest in meat-eating children. Vegan children had IGF-1 levels about 0.52 standard deviations lower than vegetarian and meat-eating children. Another growth hormone, IGFBP-3, followed a similar pattern, with vegan children showing the lowest levels (0.75 standard deviations lower than vegetarian children) and vegetarian children showing lower levels than meat-eating children (0.18 standard deviations lower).
Previous research has suggested that plant-based diets might affect childhood growth, but this is one of the largest studies to systematically compare growth hormones across dietary groups. The findings align with earlier observations that vegan children tend to be lighter and sometimes shorter, but this study provides more detailed hormone data. The results suggest that dietary composition, particularly the presence or absence of animal products, influences the biological pathways controlling growth during childhood and adolescence.
This study shows associations but cannot prove that diet causes the growth differences. Children choosing different diets may have other differences (family genetics, physical activity, overall health status, or access to different foods) that also affect growth. The study measured children at different ages, so some differences might reflect age rather than diet. Additionally, the study didn’t measure whether children were getting adequate nutrients like protein, iron, vitamin B12, and calcium, which are critical for growth and might explain some differences.
The Bottom Line
According to Gram Research analysis, if your family follows a vegan or vegetarian diet, work closely with your pediatrician to ensure your child receives adequate protein, iron, vitamin B12, calcium, and other nutrients essential for growth. Consider consulting a registered dietitian who specializes in plant-based nutrition for children. These findings suggest monitoring your child’s growth regularly with your doctor is particularly important. The evidence is moderate-to-strong that dietary composition affects growth markers, so proactive nutritional planning is warranted.
Parents and guardians considering or following vegan or vegetarian diets for their children should pay special attention to these findings. Pediatricians and nutritionists should be aware that children on plant-based diets may show different growth patterns and hormone levels. Children with growth concerns or those at risk for nutritional deficiencies should be monitored especially carefully. Families already following these diets should not panic, the findings indicate differences, not necessarily deficiency or harm, but warrant nutritional attention.
Growth differences between dietary groups appear to accumulate over time. The study included children from infancy through age 19, suggesting that dietary effects on growth are ongoing throughout childhood and adolescence. Parents should expect to see differences in growth rate emerge over months and years, not immediately. Regular pediatric check-ups (typically every 6-12 months) are appropriate for monitoring growth trajectory.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are vegan diets bad for children’s growth?
A 2026 study of 2,508 children found vegan children are shorter and have lower growth hormones than meat-eating peers, but this doesn’t prove harm. Careful nutritional planning with adequate protein, B12, iron, and calcium can support healthy development. Consult your pediatrician about your child’s specific needs.
How much shorter are vegan children compared to meat-eating children?
The 2026 study found vegan children were 0.59 standard deviations shorter than vegetarian children, but not significantly different from meat-eating children when comparing vegan directly to omnivores. Height differences depend on many factors including genetics and overall nutrition quality.
What are IGF-1 and IGFBP-3 and why do they matter for kids?
IGF-1 and IGFBP-3 are growth hormones that doctors measure to assess how well children are developing. The 2026 study found these hormones were lower in vegan and vegetarian children, suggesting dietary composition affects biological growth processes. Lower levels may indicate need for nutritional optimization.
Should I stop feeding my child a vegan diet based on this research?
This study shows differences in growth markers, not that plant-based diets are unsafe. Many vegan children grow normally with proper nutrition. Work with your pediatrician and a plant-based nutrition specialist to ensure your child receives adequate protein, B12, iron, calcium, and other essential nutrients for healthy development.
What nutrients are most important for vegan children’s growth?
The study didn’t specify which nutrients were lacking, but research shows vegan children need adequate protein (1.0-1.2g per kg body weight), vitamin B12 (supplemented or fortified), iron (from legumes, grains, fortified foods), calcium, and omega-3 fatty acids. Work with a registered dietitian to create a complete nutrition plan.
Want to Apply This Research?
- Log your child’s height and weight monthly, and track dietary protein intake (grams per day) to correlate nutrition with growth patterns. Compare measurements against age-specific growth charts to identify whether your child is tracking below, at, or above expected growth velocity.
- If following a plant-based diet, use the app to plan daily meals ensuring minimum protein targets (1.0-1.2g per kg of body weight for children), track B12 supplementation or fortified foods, and monitor iron-rich plant foods. Set reminders for pediatric appointments to review growth charts.
- Create a quarterly review comparing your child’s growth metrics against previous measurements and age-appropriate growth charts. Track whether growth velocity is normal, accelerating, or slowing. Monitor energy levels, appetite, and overall health as indicators of adequate nutrition. Share this data with your pediatrician at each visit.
This research shows associations between dietary patterns and growth measurements but does not prove that plant-based diets cause growth differences or are inherently harmful. Individual children vary greatly based on genetics, overall nutrition quality, physical activity, and health status. Parents considering or following plant-based diets for their children should consult with their pediatrician and a registered dietitian to ensure adequate nutrition for healthy growth and development. This article is for educational purposes and should not replace professional medical advice. Always discuss dietary choices and growth concerns with qualified healthcare providers.
This research translation is published by Gram Research, the science division of Gram, an AI-powered nutrition tracking app.
