Plant-based food packages associated with decreased BMI in children, new study finds

A recent study from Mass General Brigham healthcare system suggests that a plant-based diet may be linked to Body Mass Index (BMI) decreases in children. The study found that receiving plant-based food packages was associated with a lower BMI in children seeking food assistance during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The aim behind the study, which was published in the journal, Preventing Chronic Disease, was to examine the association between the receival of plant-based family food packages with weight change in children. To do so, the team of researchers analyzed data of 93 families who received weekly plant-based food packages from Jan. 1, 2021, to Feb. 1 2022.

The packages were provided by the Massachusetts General Hospital Revere Food Pantry and contained fresh fruits, vegetables, nuts and whole grains. The packages were also adjusted to family size to provide three meals a day per each member of the household.

The researchers analyzed data from 107 children from 93 families, once at the beginning of the study and then at the follow up appointment, 19 months later.  The results suggest that a plant-based diet may be associated with lower BMI in children receiving food assistance. At the beginning of the study, 20 children ( 57%) were classified as being overweight or obese, as defined by BMI. At the follow up, 17 of the children (49%) were overweight or obese.

“With each additional family food package received, we observed an associated decrease in BMI among children aged 2 to 18 years. We estimate that a child in the households we studied who received 27 weeks or more of packages might have a BMI decrease of 1.08 kg/m2 or more,” said the study authors, in the research brief.

The authors also suggest that offering plant-based family food packages could be a useful strategy to prevent and even reverse BMI increases among children who receive food assistance.