Shull M W, Reed R B, Valadian I, Palombo R, Thorne H, Dwyer J T
Pediatrics. 1977 Oct;60(4):410-7.
The growth velocities (weight and length) of vegetarian preschool children were compared to norms established from the Harvard growth study. At first measurement vegetarian subjects weighed less and were shorter than expected from Harvard standards. Growth velocities of children under 2 years of age were depressed, while among those over the age of 2 growth velocities were generally comparable to Harvard norms. Vegetarian boys over age 2 exhibited a higher mean weight velocity. Macrobiotics' mean weight and length velocities were not significantly different from those of nonmacrobiotics before age 2. However, the mean weight velocity of macrobiotics over age 2 was significantly greater than the mean weight velocity of nonmacrobiotics over 2 years. Low growth velocities of vegetarian children are more apparent in infants under the age of 2. When breast-feeding, possibly inadequate supplemental feeding may be present past 6 months of age. Since it is then that the velocities are more likely to be depressed, this may be the most appropriate time for surveillance and possible intervention.
将素食学龄前儿童的生长速度（体重和身高）与哈佛生长研究确定的标准进行了比较。初次测量时，素食儿童的体重低于哈佛标准预期，身高也偏矮。2岁以下儿童的生长速度较慢，而2岁以上儿童的生长速度总体上与哈佛标准相当。2岁以上的素食男孩平均体重增长速度较高。在2岁之前，素食为主的儿童的平均体重和身高增长速度与非素食为主的儿童没有显著差异。然而，2岁以上素食为主的儿童的平均体重增长速度明显高于2岁以上非素食为主的儿童。素食儿童生长速度较慢在2岁以下婴儿中更为明显。母乳喂养时，6个月龄后可能存在补充喂养不足的情况。由于此时生长速度更有可能下降，这可能是进行监测和可能干预的最合适时机。
