Well-intentioned parents who limit their child's dietary fat in the name of good health may be depriving their growing son or daughter of essential nutrients.

The study of children with and without high cholesterol found that unsupervised, parent-imposed low-fat diets were also lower in zinc and vitamin E compared with diets that did not restrict fat. Zinc is a mineral that is essential for growth and development and helps the immune system fight infectious diseases. Vitamin E, an important antioxidant vitamin, may also protect against certain diseases.

There are clinical reports of children who have grown poorly while following unsupervised low-fat, low-calorie diets. Many foods that contain zinc and vitamin E are also rich in fat and saturated fat, including oils, milk, meat and eggs.

Children with high cholesterol consumed significantly more sugar as a result of higher intakes of carbohydrate-rich foods, which tend to be lower in fat.

The researchers concluded that parents should not impose dietary restrictions on children, including those with high cholesterol.

Archives of Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine November 2001;155:1225-1230

Dr. Mercola's Comments:

Last year JAMA published a study promoting the use of low fat diet in children. It is good to see additional research in the traditional community about the dangers of imposing this very dangerous practice. An earlier study in Pediatrics, also warned about this dangerous practice. If parents aren't careful in this area, though well intentioned, they can wind up doing significant harm and damage to their children. Related Articles: More On Low Fat Nonsense Low-Fat, High-Fiber Diet May Lower Calcium Absorption Cut Out Your Fat and Increase Your Risk of Stroke Low Grain Guide To Health