Micronutrient status of New Zealand adolescent women consuming vegetarian and non-vegetarian diets

Background and Objectives: Globally, there appears to be an ever-increasing interest in adopting a vegetarian diet. However, there are concerns that avoiding meat may increase the risk of anaemia and micronutrient defi-ciencies, especially for vulnerable populations, such as adolescent women. The objective of this study was to compare the micronutrient status of vegetarian and non-vegetarian adolescent women in New Zealand. Methods and Study Design: Adolescent women aged 15-18 y were recruited from eight locations across New Zealand. Blood samples were analysed for: haemoglobin, serum ferritin, soluble transferrin receptor, zinc, selenium, reti-nol binding protein, folate, vitamin B-12, vitamin D and parathyroid hormone. Results: Of the 182 participants who provided a blood sample, 15% self-identified as vegetarian (n=27). On average, vegetarians had 3.1% (95% CI-5.8 to-0.4, p=0.025) lower haemoglobin, and 8.3% (95%CI-14.1 to-2.1, p=0.004) lower selenium. In con-trast, serum folate was 80.5% (95% CI 45.7 to 123.7, p<0.001) higher. The prevalence of zinc and selenium defi-ciency was higher among vegetarians (50% and 12%, respectively) than non-vegetarians (21%, and 2%, respec-tively). Conclusions: Adolescent vegetarian women may be at increased risk of deficiency of micronutrients commonly found in animal products, including zinc and selenium, and may benefit from following dietary prac-tices that enhance micronutrient intake and absorption.