Low-fat, low-cholesterol diets lead to growth failure in children

This study was published in the American Journal of Diseases of Children 1989 May;143(5):537-42

 

Study title and authors:

Growth failure. A complication of dietary treatment of hypercholesterolemia.

Lifshitz F, Moses N.

Department of Pediatrics, North Shore University Hospital, Manhasset, NY 11030.

 

This study can be accessed at: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/2718985

This study describes the effects of a low-fat, low-cholesterol diet on eight children as treatment for "high cholesterol".

The study found that the low-fat, low-cholesterol diet caused growth failure:
(i) Three children had nutritional dwarfing. (Nutritional dwarfing is where there is a marked retardation in growth due to insufficient food consumption).
(ii) In five children, weight loss or insufficient weight gain occurred.

Regarding the diet, the study found:
(a) Children with growth failure consumed significantly less energy and zinc compared to children growing well.
(b) The dietary intakes of the three children with nutritional dwarfing were the most markedly deficient in total energy, fat, and micronutrients.

The data from the study suggests that the diagnosis and dietary treatment of "high cholesterol" may have potentially adverse health consequences. The application of a low-fat, low-cholesterol diet may lead to growth failure due to inadequate intake of energy, vitamins, and minerals.

Low-fat diets are inadequate in providing essential vitamins

This study was published in Pediatrics 1992 Feb;89(2):221-8

Study title and authors:

Nutrient adequacy of low fat intakes for children: the Bogalusa Heart Study.

Nicklas TA, Webber LS, Koschak M, Berenson GS.

Department of Medicine, Louisiana State University Medical Center, New Orleans 70112.

This study can be accessed at: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/1734388

Professor Theresa Nicklas specializes in how eating behaviours influence the development of chronic disease risk factors early in life. She states that nutritional adequacy is important when diets and dietary alterations are recommended for children. She notes that concern is expressed that low fat intakes may have deleterious effects on growth and development and may be deficient in total calories and essential nutrients.

The study inestigated the effects of dietary fat intake on children meeting their recommended daily allowance in various nutrients. The study included 871 year-olds.

The children were divided into higher and lower fat groups:
(i) Fat consumption of less than 30% of total calories (low fat group).
(ii) Fat consumption of more than 40% of total calories (high fat group).

The study found:
(a) The percentage of calories from carbohydrate, specifically sugar, was greater in the low fat group compared with the high fat group.
(b) The low fat group had 16% of their calories as meat.
(c) The high fat group had 31% of theie calories as meat.
(d) 8% more children in the high fat group had their recommended daily allowance of vitamin B6 compared to the low fat group.
(e) 34% more children in the high fat group had their recommended daily allowance of vitamin B12 compared to the low fat group.
(f) 32% more children in the high fat group had their recommended daily allowance of vitamin E compared to the low fat group.
(g) 18% more children in the high fat group had their recommended daily allowance of vitamin B1 (thiamin) compared to the low fat group.
(h) 20% more children in the high fat group had their recommended daily allowance of vitamin B2 (riboflavin) compared to the low fat group.
(i) 23% more children in the high fat group had their recommended daily allowance of vitamin B3 (niacin) compared to the low fat group.

The results of the study suggest that low-fat diets are inadequate in providing essential vitamins.

Links to other studies:
Low fat diets may be detrimental to childrens health
Deficiencies of dietary fat during infancy may affect the development of the central nervous system, including visual development and intelligence
Diets low in saturated fat and cholesterol, provide INADEQUATE intake of several micronutrients, notably, zinc, calcium, and vitamins A, D, and E