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Relative Weight, Weight Loss Efforts and Nutrient Intakes among Health-Conscious Vegetarian, Past Vegetarian and Nonvegetarian Women Ages 18 to 50.

Food, Nutrition and Health, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, CANADA

Address reprint requests to: S.I. Barr, PhD, Food, Nutrition and Health, University of British Columbia, 2205 East Mall, Vancouver, British Columbia, V6T 1Z4, CANADA. E-mail: sibarr{at}interchange.ubc.ca

Objective: To compare relative weight, weight loss efforts and nutrient intakes among similarly health-conscious vegetarian, past vegetarian and nonvegetarian premenopausal women.

Methods: Demographic data, lifestyle practices and weight loss efforts (by questionnaire), body mass index (BMI;kg/m²) and dietary intake (via multiple-pass 24-hour diet recall) were compared in a convenience sample of 90 current vegetarians, 35 past vegetarians and 68 nonvegetarians.

Results: Age (31.9 ± 8.8), educational attainment, smoking status, alcohol use, physical activity and perceived health status were similar among the three groups of women. BMI did not differ by dietary pattern and averaged 23.7 ± 4.7 for all women combined. Participants had intentionally lost 10 pounds a mean of 2.1 times, and 39% of women perceived themselves to be overweight; again, no differences were observed among dietary groups. Dietary intakes of vegetarians and current nonvegetarians were consistent with current recommendations for macronutrient composition (<30% fat, <10% saturates). Compared to current nonvegetarians, current vegetarians had lower intakes of protein, saturated fat, cholesterol, niacin, vitamins B₁₂ and D, and higher fiber and magnesium intakes. Vegetarians’ mean vitamin B₁₂ and D intakes were well below recommendations.

Conclusions: Relative weight and weight loss efforts do not differ by dietary pattern among similarly health-conscious vegetarian and nonvegetarian women. The only differences in nutrient intake with potential health implications were vitamins D and B₁₂.

Key words: body mass index, diet records, health behavior, vegetarianism, weight

Abbreviations: AI = adequate intake • ANOVA = analysis of variance • BMI = body mass index • EAR = estimated average requirement • RDA = recommended dietary allowance • TFEQ = three-factor eating questionnaire • USDA = United States Department of Agriculture

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