A comprehensive study conducted by researchers from Ben Gurion University in Israel, spanning a decade from 2014 to 2023 and involving nearly 1.2 million infants, has found no significant differences in growth indicators among babies raised in vegetarian, vegan, and omnivorous households. The research involved analyzing data related to height, weight, and head circumference of infants from 32 weeks of gestation to 24 months, published in 'JAMA Network Open'. Of the demographic, nearly 98.5% were from omnivorous families, 1.2% from vegetarian, and 0.3% from vegan families, illustrating the varied dietary practices in the region.

The results indicated that within 60 days after birth, the growth measures such as height and head circumference were comparable across all diet groups. Although there was a 37% higher tendency for babies on vegetarian or vegan diets to be underweight compared to their omnivorous counterparts, this finding primarily applied to extreme cases. By the age of 24 months, most growth differences had diminished, showing similar growth metrics across all dietary groups. Furthermore, the likelihood of poor growth remained consistently low, with underweight percentages reported as 3.1% for omnivores, 3.4% for vegetarians, and 3.9% for vegans, without any statistically significant differences among groups.

Kerem Avital, a doctoral student leading the research, stated that the study highlights that with an adequate environment, a plant-based diet does not hinder the basic physical development of infants. Historically, various studies on the impact of vegetarian diets on growth have yielded mixed results, but this extensive cohort study provides substantial evidence that well-planned vegetarian diets can offer the necessary nutrients for healthy growth, potentially reducing obesity risks due to higher fiber and lower saturated fat content.