Characteristics of Americans Choosing Vegetarian and Vegan Diets for Health Reasons

Cramer, H; Kessler, CS; Sundberg, T; Leach, MJ; Schumann, D; Adams, J; Lauche, R

Characteristics of Americans Choosing Vegetarian and Vegan Diets for Health Reasons

Cramer, H

Kessler, CS Sundberg, T Leach, MJ Schumann, D Adams, J

Lauche, R

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Publication Type:: Journal Article
Citation:: Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior, 2017, 49 (7), pp. 561 - 567.e1
Issue Date:: 2017-07-01

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Field	Value	Language
dc.contributor.author	Cramer, H https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3640-8046	en_US
dc.contributor.author	Kessler, CS	en_US
dc.contributor.author	Sundberg, T	en_US
dc.contributor.author	Leach, MJ	en_US
dc.contributor.author	Schumann, D	en_US
dc.contributor.author	Adams, J https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9901-5717	en_US
dc.contributor.author	Lauche, R https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4171-7935	en_US
dc.date.available	2017-04-21	en_US
dc.date.issued	2017-07-01	en_US
dc.identifier.citation	Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior, 2017, 49 (7), pp. 561 - 567.e1	en_US
dc.identifier.issn	1499-4046	en_US
dc.identifier.uri	http://hdl.handle.net/10453/109307
dc.description.abstract	© 2017 Society for Nutrition Education and Behavior Objective Examine the prevalence, patterns, and associated factors of using a vegetarian or vegan diet for health reasons in the US general population. Design Cross-sectional data from the 2012 National Health Interview Survey. Participants Nationally representative sample (N = 34,525). Variables Measured Prevalence of ever use and 12-month use of vegetarian or vegan diet for health reasons, patterns of use, and sociodemographic and health-related factor associated with use. Analysis Multiple logistic regression analysis. Results Prevalence of ever use and 12-month use was 4.0% (n = 1,367) and 1.9% (n = 648), respectively. Health vegetarians and vegans were more likely aged 30–65 years, female, not Hispanic, from the Western US region, at least high school educated, chronically ill, and physically active. They were less likely to be in a relationship, overweight or obese, or smoking, or to have public or private health insurance. Among health vegetarians and vegans, 6.3% consulted with a practitioner for special diets; 26.1% followed the diet because of a specific health problem, mainly high cholesterol, overweight, hypertension, and diabetes; and 59.4% disclosed the diet to their health care provider. Conclusions and Implications Less than 2% of participants reported using a vegetarian or vegan diet for health reasons within the past 12 months. Despite potential benefits of plant-based nutrition, more research is warranted on the actual use and its effects and safety.	en_US
dc.relation.ispartof	Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior	en_US
dc.relation.isbasedon	10.1016/j.jneb.2017.04.011	en_US
dc.subject.classification	Nutrition & Dietetics	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Humans	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Nutrition Surveys	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Cross-Sectional Studies	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Age Factors	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Diet, Vegetarian	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Sex Characteristics	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Adolescent	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Adult	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Aged	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Middle Aged	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	United States	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Female	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Male	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Young Adult	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Diet, Vegan	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Healthy Diet	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Diet, Healthy	en_US
dc.title	Characteristics of Americans Choosing Vegetarian and Vegan Diets for Health Reasons	en_US
dc.type	Journal Article
utslib.citation.volume	7	en_US
utslib.citation.volume	49	en_US
utslib.for	11 Medical and Health Sciences	en_US
utslib.for	13 Education	en_US
utslib.for	17 Psychology and Cognitive Sciences	en_US
pubs.embargo.period	Not known	en_US
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/Faculty of Health
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/Strength - CHSP - Health Services and Practice
utslib.copyright.status	closed_access
pubs.issue	7	en_US
pubs.publication-status	Published	en_US
pubs.volume	49	en_US

Abstract:

© 2017 Society for Nutrition Education and Behavior Objective Examine the prevalence, patterns, and associated factors of using a vegetarian or vegan diet for health reasons in the US general population. Design Cross-sectional data from the 2012 National Health Interview Survey. Participants Nationally representative sample (N = 34,525). Variables Measured Prevalence of ever use and 12-month use of vegetarian or vegan diet for health reasons, patterns of use, and sociodemographic and health-related factor associated with use. Analysis Multiple logistic regression analysis. Results Prevalence of ever use and 12-month use was 4.0% (n = 1,367) and 1.9% (n = 648), respectively. Health vegetarians and vegans were more likely aged 30–65 years, female, not Hispanic, from the Western US region, at least high school educated, chronically ill, and physically active. They were less likely to be in a relationship, overweight or obese, or smoking, or to have public or private health insurance. Among health vegetarians and vegans, 6.3% consulted with a practitioner for special diets; 26.1% followed the diet because of a specific health problem, mainly high cholesterol, overweight, hypertension, and diabetes; and 59.4% disclosed the diet to their health care provider. Conclusions and Implications Less than 2% of participants reported using a vegetarian or vegan diet for health reasons within the past 12 months. Despite potential benefits of plant-based nutrition, more research is warranted on the actual use and its effects and safety.

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http://hdl.handle.net/10453/109307