Characteristics of Americans Choosing Vegetarian and Vegan Diets for Health Reasons

• Published in: JOURNAL OF NUTRITION EDUCATION AND BEHAVIOR Vol. 49; no. 7; pp. 561 - 567.e1
• Main Authors: Cramer, Holger, Kessler, Christian S., Sundberg, Tobias, Leach, Matthew J., Schumann, Dania, Adams, Jon, Lauche, Romy
• Format: Journal Article Publication
• Language: English
• Published: United States Elsevier Inc 01.07.2017
• Subjects: Adolescent; Adult; Age Factors; Aged; Americans; cholesterol; Cross-Sectional Studies; diabetes; diet; Diet, Vegan; Diet, Vegetarian; Female; females; health services; Healthy Diet; Humans; hypertension; Male; Middle Aged; Nutrition Surveys; overweight; prevalence; regression analysis; Sex Characteristics; special diets; survey; surveys; United States; vegan; vegan diet; vegetarian; Western United States; Young Adult; Western United States; vegetarian; prevalence; survey; vegan; diet
• ISSN: 1499-4046; 1878-2620; 1878-2620
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jneb.2017.04.011

Examine the prevalence, patterns, and associated factors of using a vegetarian or vegan diet for health reasons in the US general population. Cross-sectional data from the 2012 National Health Interview Survey. Nationally representative sample (N = 34,525). 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. Multiple logistic regression analysis. 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. 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.