Influencing a Vegan Diet and the Intake of Dietary Supplements During Pregnancy and Childhood

Determination of main influencing factors that affect vegans regarding their diet during pregnancy and when feeding their vegan children (up to an age of 5 years)

Influence by medical experts or other influences (social environment, Internet and Social Media, magazines etc.) concerning the decision for or against a vegan diet should be clarified. Depending on the source of information, possible risks of a vegan diet during pregnancy, infancy and early childhood can be misjudged.

Identify sources of information for vegans on dietary supplements, as a reason for approval or rejection of dietary supplements (during pregnancy, infancy and early childhood) - trustworthiness by ranking

It should be determined which information on dietary supplements (during pregnancy, infancy and early childhood) is used and whether this information appears trustworthy or causes uncertainty. Information received affects selection, intake, or avoidance of certain dietary supplements. The health impact of selected sources of information on dietary supplements can be made visible. Medical expert advice and other opinion-forming aspects (social environment, Internet and Social Media, magazines etc.) should be ranked according to their relevance. The main source of information should be identified. This can be an important approach for the improvement of information supply on dietary supplements in the vegan diet and for minimizing risks preventively. By recognizing the source of information that is classified as the most important for vegans, the main causes of frequent inadequacies in the supply of information can be identified and positively changed.

Viewpoints and general knowledge of medical experts about a vegan diet and dietary supplements (for a vegan pregnancy, infancy and early childhood) should be established

The impact of expert opinion and knowledge on the vegan diet regarding their advice on dietary supplements for vegans (during vegan pregnancy, infancy and early childhood) should be clarified. Statistically evaluated results of the survey should allow conclusions about the influence of information supply by medical experts on nutrient supply, of vegan pregnant women and growing children (up to an age of 5 years). A possible misinterpretation of the health risk of a vegan diet during pregnancy, infancy and early childhood due to insufficient knowledge of dietary supplements could increase health risks. A negative basic attitude towards a vegan diet influences the relationship of trust between vegans and their physicians. If there is no advice on dietary supplements, health risks can increase.

Determination of the level of knowledge of vegans on dietary supplements, nutrient deficiency risks and incorrect dosing of dietary supplements during pregnancy, infancy and early childhood (up to an age of 5 years)

If the risk of incorrect dosing of dietary supplements is misjudged by vegans during pregnancy, infancy and early childhood, nutrient deficiencies or overdose with dietary supplements become likely. Risks of a nutrient deficiency due to missing intake or incorrect selection of dietary supplements because of a lack of knowledge should also be cognizable. Avoiding these circumstances would require a better supply of information for vegans by medical experts (paediatricians, gynaecologists, general practitioners, pharmacists, dieticians). If the risk of incorrect dosing is misjudged by medical experts the quality of advice on dietary supplements could suffer. Imprecise advice could affect the relationship of trust between medical experts and vegans as well as the nutrient supply during pregnancy, infancy and early childhood.

Definition and effectiveness as well as health and health optimization through dietary supplements from a vegan perspective

The perception of what a dietary supplement can do, whether it is comparable to medicine or food, or whether a positive/negative effect can be expected, depends on the level of knowledge of vegans about dietary supplements. How vegans perceive dietary supplements and how they rate their effectiveness influences their intake behavior. What health means for vegans and whether dietary supplements are perceived as health-promoting from a vegan perspective should also be clarified. Determining what is meant by health optimization for vegans creates an understanding of the intake or rejection of dietary supplements. Rejection of dietary supplementsdue to health concerns can indicate insufficient education about health benefits.

Determination of compliance with dietary supplements (DS) during pregnancy, infancy and early childhood as well as the consequences of administration difficulties to vegan children (up to an age of 5 years)

It should be investigated whether vegans consider regular intake or administration of DS during pregnancy and early childhood to be effective. It should be clarified whether dosage forms (e.g. drops, pills, capsules etc.) of existing DS for infants and children represent an unsettling factor for the vegan parents, which in turn increases the risk of incorrect dosing and resulting nutrient deficiencies (wrong administration, wrong dosing etc.). Medical experts should also evaluate the options of dosage forms and the compliance as well as the consistency of administration by parents to the vegan child. This should clarify whether dosage forms of DS can have an impact on the regularity of administration and subsequently on the development of nutrient deficiencies. Statements about the regularity, duration of intake and compliance of DS are intended to allow conclusions about the supply of consumers with the corresponding DS and to show any potential dangers or health-enhancing effects.

Investigate if gender-specific and socio-demographic differences within the researched group of vegans exist

Different perceptions of and opinions on the vegan diet and DS (during pregnancy, infancy and early childhood) between vegan women, men, gender-diverse people as well as between vegans in and outside the city should clarify differences in nutrient deficiency-associated risks of a vegan diet and the intake of DS. Other socio-demographic characteristics such as age, education, income, employment status etc. should also be included. Risk deviations could exist due to unequal access to information.