Macrobiotic nutrition and child health: results of a population-based, mixed-longitudinal cohort study in The Netherlands

Abstract

A population-based study on the nutritional status of children consuming macrobiotic diets was carried out in The Netherlands. Participants followed a macrobiotic diet based mainly on whole-grain cereals, pulses, and vegetables. Studies in children aged 0–10 y suggested that growth was retarded mainly between 6 and 18 mo. This was confirmed in a subsequent mixed-longitudinal study (including data on diet, anthropometry, blood chemistry, and pediatric examination) in 418 mo-old macrobiotic infants and a matched omnivorous control group. Ubiquitous deficiencies of energy, protein, vitamin B−12, vitamin D, calcium, and riboflavin were detected in macrobiotic infants, leading to retarded growth, fat and muscle wasting, and slower psychomotor development. Breast milk from macrobiotic mothers contained less vitamin B−12, calcium, and magnesium. Supplementation of the macrobiotic diet with fat (minimum 20–25 g/d), fatty fish (minimum 100–150 g/wk), and dairy products (minimum 150–250 g/d) is recommended.