Young Vegetarians

KYW's Medical Reports Sponsored By Independence Blue Cross

By Dr. Brian McDonough, Medical Editor

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- It is estimated that one in 200 children are vegetarians. That is about 300,000 children. The rate increases in teen years by about five times.

This is very interesting, but what may be more fascinating is the fact that unlike most adults who choose to become vegetarians for health reasons, teens and young adults do it for animal welfare.

Some other stats: vegetarians are often female, from higher income families, and they live on the east or the west coast.

Eating vegetarian can be very healthful, but for growing children it's important to get sufficient amounts of protein, vitamin B-12, vitamin D, iron, calcium, and other very important nutrients that most people get from meat, eggs, and dairy