Diet supplements aimed at children ‘scary’, nutritionists say

A controversial diet sweeping New Zealand has been criticised as ‘‘scary’’ for promoting cleansing products and meal replacement shakes for children.

The diet, which has been slated by nutritionists but loved by thousands of people, advocates weight loss and wellbeing through pills, shakes, cleanses and one calorie-controlled meal a day.

But it is ‘‘kid-approved’’ products for those aged four and older that have dietitians and child nutritionists most alarmed.

One user said she ditched the diet after learning it was being used by children.

Dietician Lea Stening called the products ‘‘scary’’, likening them to the controversy surrounding a paleo diet cookbook for infants co-authored by Australian celebrity chef Pete Evans.

‘‘All I can say to parents is buyer beware,’’ Stening said.

From age 4, a child can have a meal replacement shakes and an ‘‘Isakids Essential’’ multivitamin, as well as antioxidant dietary supplements, according to the Isagenix website.

From 12 years old, its ‘‘cleanse’’ product can also be taken.

More vitamins including fish oils and vitamin C are also able to be taken at this age.

The website says its products are ‘‘appropriate’’ for children because they are no longer getting important nutrients from processed foods. ‘‘[So] they can start developing healthy habits at a young age and grow into strong, healthy, lean adults with a better quality of life.’’

Isagenix’s website says its products use only natural ingredients. Its ‘‘Isakids Essentials’’ vitamin supplements contain 16 vitamins promoting healthy cartilage, bones and teeth.

Australia New Zealand general manager Angus Love has earlier dismissed claims the company’s products did not teach dieters about nutrition. ‘‘I would disagree. We’re teaching them to eat the best quality food and Isagenix provides that for one to two meals a day.’’

Stening said imposing dietary restrictions like Isagenix on to children could affect growth rates and mental and physical development. ‘‘Parents need to be very careful at playing around with their children’s diet.’’

Lauren, who was on the diet for five months, was aghast to see Isagenix lovers and friends saying on Facebook they were feeding the shakes and pills to their children.

She started to question the diet and eventually stopped using it.

Lauren did not want her last name used because, as with many people, the Isagenix diet was sold to her by a friend.

‘‘These are children under 10,’’ she said. ‘‘You as an adult are responsible for what you put in your mouth but it should not be given to children.’’

University of Auckland nutrition researcher and GP Dr Anne-Thea McGill said Isagenix was not suitable to help children who were obese or overweight.

‘‘The real issue, which is completely obscured by everybody except people who know about nutrition, is it’s not just about calories, it’s about real food with real nutrients.’’

Children had to be taught how to eat nutritious food, she said, not resort to ‘‘pills and potions and vitamin tablets’’.

Isagenix says on its website that its products supply children with the ‘‘superior minerals and vitamins they need on a daily basis’’.

Other products included ‘‘slimcakes’’ and ‘‘fibresnacks’’. ‘‘Kids love Isagenix,’’ the website says. Obesity in children has ‘‘tripled in past four decades’’, it says.

‘‘Without changes in diet, exercise, and lifestyle, our kid’s odds of growing into healthy adults are not looking good.’’

Isagenix was unable to respond to questions about products for children before deadline.