Veganism Kills Kids!
The Royal Medical Academy of Belgium recently published their findings on the suitability of vegan and vegetarian diets for children on 14th May 2019.
In light of the alarmist media articles in English speaking publications such as The Telegraph and the New York Times, I've taken the time to translate the press release for you.
In case you were wondering, I'm a fluent French speaker and former professional translator.
If you wish to peruse the original French for yourself, the original document can be found here, the full document here, and the short version here.
My Comments
I am frankly very disappointed, not only with the choice of experts chosen for the commission, notably Jacques Rigo is a consultant for Nestle in respect of dairy based infant milk product preNAN. The findings are not only extremely short sighted, worded in an excessively emotive tone that I feel is inappropriate for a supposedly scientific document, and the studies they rely upon for their evidence are, in my opinion, poorly chosen and not indicative of their assertions.
You should note that they also claim in the full document that there is no evidence proving that a vegetarian diet reduces risk of obesity, cancer, cardio-vascular diseases, hypertension, or type 2 diabetes, and therefore have chosen to discount any evidence to suggest this is so.
It is also rather chilling that the document seems to suggest that parents cannot be trusted to choose a healthy diet for their children, and if they insist on a vegan diet, then this must be supervised by a medical practitioner.
In other words - you are too stupid to be trusted to feed your children properly.
Here is the translation I've quickly put together this morning. See what you think...
Translation
In light of the alarmist media articles in English speaking publications such as The Telegraph and the New York Times, I've taken the time to translate the press release for you.
In case you were wondering, I'm a fluent French speaker and former professional translator.
If you wish to peruse the original French for yourself, the original document can be found here, the full document here, and the short version here.
My Comments
I am frankly very disappointed, not only with the choice of experts chosen for the commission, notably Jacques Rigo is a consultant for Nestle in respect of dairy based infant milk product preNAN. The findings are not only extremely short sighted, worded in an excessively emotive tone that I feel is inappropriate for a supposedly scientific document, and the studies they rely upon for their evidence are, in my opinion, poorly chosen and not indicative of their assertions.
You should note that they also claim in the full document that there is no evidence proving that a vegetarian diet reduces risk of obesity, cancer, cardio-vascular diseases, hypertension, or type 2 diabetes, and therefore have chosen to discount any evidence to suggest this is so.
It is also rather chilling that the document seems to suggest that parents cannot be trusted to choose a healthy diet for their children, and if they insist on a vegan diet, then this must be supervised by a medical practitioner.
In other words - you are too stupid to be trusted to feed your children properly.
Here is the translation I've quickly put together this morning. See what you think...
Translation
English Translation of the Press Release
"VEGANISM CONTRAINDICATED
FOR CHILDREN, PREGNANT WOMEN AND NURSING MOTHERS
Brussels, 14th May 2019. More and more parents
are forcing their infants to follow a vegan diet, and this is contraindicated.
This is the opinion of the Belgian Royal Academy of Medicine (ARMB). This
restrictive diet gives rise to inevitable deficiencies, and requires the permanent
medical supervision of children to avoid nutritional deficiencies and growth
delays which are often irreversible.
Because of the number of parents who refuse to allow their
children to be given a balanced and varied diet, the Minister for Children’s
Rights, Bernard de Vos, has asked ARMB to provide our opinion on veganism. “Healthcare
staff are often confronted with an ethical problem. We let parents decide to an
extent, we try to explain to parents the risks that such a diet poses, but what
can we do when we feel their opinion
poses a threat to the wellbeing of their child?” asks professor Georges Casimir,
paediatrician at HUDERF (Queen Fabiola Childrens University Hospital) and
consultant on the commission chosen by the ARMB.
It’s estimated that 3% of children in Belgium are affected
by this diet. Pure veganism is a restrictive diet that excludes all animal
products. Essential vitamins such as D and B12, calcium, micro-nutrients and other
nutrients vital for growth and development are missing from this diet. “We’re
talking about delays in growth, both weight and height, psychomotor retardation,
malnutrition, severe anaemia” explains Isabelle Thiébaut, pediatric dietician
who collaborated with the commission in writing the opinion of the ARMB, “certain
growth must happen at specific stages in a child’s life, and if that doesn’t
take place it’s irreversible.” An excess of potassium and fibre is also
observed where vegetables form an excessive part of your diet. In the most
serious cases, hospitalisation is inevitable. “There are some very serious
cases” advises Sylviane Podlubnai, head dietician at HUDERF “fortunately they
are limited thanks to the early intervention of paediatricians.”
The Belgian Royal Academy of Medicine advises against
subjecting your child to such a diet. If this is the case however, it’s
imperative that this done be under medical supervision, with regular blood
tests, and supplementation. “When you are a child” Professor Georges Casimir
reminds us, “your body is producing a large number brain cells. This means that
you have a greater need for proteins and essential fatty acids. The body cannot
produce these, so you must get them from animal protein. Veganism is not
indicated for children, pregnant women or nursing mothers.”
“We are here to support parents, not to judge” adds Isabelle
Thiébaut. “Dieticians absolutely must work in collaboration with paediatricians.”
The goal is to avoid deficiencies or to nip them in the bud. “We would also
like to highlight the fact that it is not normal to have to medically
treat a child born in good health.” concludes professor Georges Casimir
Press Officer:
Vanessa
Costanzo + 32- (0)473 459 109 vcostanzo@intothecomm.be"
