EFFECTS OF PLANT-BASED VERSUS ANIMAL-BASED COMPLEMENTARY FEEDING ON GROWTH AND NUTRITIONAL OUTCOMES IN HEALTHY INFANTS: A META-ANALYSIS

Abstrak

In recent years, there has been growing interest among parents in plant-based diets, including vegetarian and vegan feeding patterns for infants. Plant-based complementary feeding (CF) may fall short in delivering sufficient amounts of bioavailable iron, zinc, calcium, vitamin B12, and high-quality protein, all of which are essential for proper growth and neurodevelopment for infants. Method: This study employs statistical modeling to combine the results of multiple studies using Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. Risk of bias was assessed qualitatively based on study design, sample size, and outcome reporting. Result: In the initial stage of search, total of 350 articles were identified but total of 5 primary studies met all the inclusion criteria and were included in the final study using Review Manager (RevMan) version 5.4. The pooled analysis revealed that infants who received animal-based CF experienced significantly better growth outcomes compared to those who received plant-based CF. Discussion: The findings of this meta-analysis are consistent with prior literature indicating that animal-source foods contribute significantly to optimal growth in early childhood due to their high nutrient density and bioavailability of key micronutrients. Compared to plant-based foods, animal-based complementary feeding provides heme iron, complete proteins, vitamin B12, and zinc in forms that are more efficiently absorbed by the body, potentially explaining the superior growth outcomes observed in the included studies. Conclusion: This meta-analysis demonstrates that animal-based CF is significantly more effective in supporting the growth of infants aged 6–24 months compared to plant-based CF.