Children on a vegetarian diet:
Children aged 5-11 on vegetarian diets have been found to have much lower blood levels of vitamin D than children on omnivorous diets. In vegetarian children, daily intake of vitamin B12 was found to be normal, iron intake was found to be adequate, folate and vitamin A were higher, and vitamin E levels were slightly lower. (44)
Children on a vegetarian diet may be at risk of multiple nutrient deficiencies such as iron, vitamin B12, and vitamin D. These nutrients are discussed elsewhere in Preventive Health Advisor.
Caffeine and sleep patterns:
Consuming greater amounts of caffeine leads to shorter sleep duration, longer awake time, and increased sleep during the day, or napping, in adolescents. A total of 191 high school students took part in a 14-day study by Pollak and Bright. Caffeine consumption ranged between 0 and 800 mg/d. The average over 2 weeks went up to 379.4 mg/d. Participants reported on the time they went to bed and woke up, any caffeine intake, and any naps they took. At the end of the study, the researchers found that teens with higher caffeine intake slept fewer hours at night and took more naps during the day than those who had less caffeine. (45)