Nutrient Profiles of Vegetarian and Nonvegetarian Dietary Patterns

Abstract Background Differences in nutrient profiles between vegetarian and nonvegetarian dietary patterns reflect nutritional differences that can contribute to the development of disease. Objective Our aim was to compare nutrient intakes between dietary patterns characterized by consumption or exc...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published inJournal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Vol. 113; no. 12; pp. 1610 - 1619
Main Authors Rizzo, Nico S., PhD, Jaceldo-Siegl, Karen, DrPH, Sabate, Joan, MD, DrPH, Fraser, Gary E., PhD
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published New York, NY Elsevier Inc 01.12.2013
Elsevier
Subjects
Online AccessGet full text

Cover

Loading…
More Information
Summary:Abstract Background Differences in nutrient profiles between vegetarian and nonvegetarian dietary patterns reflect nutritional differences that can contribute to the development of disease. Objective Our aim was to compare nutrient intakes between dietary patterns characterized by consumption or exclusion of meat and dairy products. Design We conducted a cross-sectional study of 71,751 subjects (mean age=59 years) from the Adventist Health Study 2. Data were collected between 2002 and 2007. Participants completed a 204-item validated semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire. Dietary patterns compared were nonvegetarian, semi-vegetarian, pesco vegetarian, lacto-ovo vegetarian, and strict vegetarian. Analysis of covariance was used to analyze differences in nutrient intakes by dietary patterns and was adjusted for age, sex, and race. Body mass index and other relevant demographic data were reported and compared by dietary pattern using χ2 tests and analysis of variance. Results Many nutrient intakes varied significantly between dietary patterns. Nonvegetarians had the lowest intakes of plant proteins, fiber, beta carotene, and magnesium compared with those following vegetarian dietary patterns, and the highest intakes of saturated, trans , arachidonic, and docosahexaenoic fatty acids. The lower tails of some nutrient distributions in strict vegetarians suggested inadequate intakes by a portion of the subjects. Energy intake was similar among dietary patterns at close to 2,000 kcal/day, with the exception of semi-vegetarians, who had an intake of 1,707 kcal/day. Mean body mass index was highest in nonvegetarians (mean=28.7 [standard deviation=6.4]) and lowest in strict vegetarians (mean=24.0 [standard deviation=4.8]). Conclusions Nutrient profiles varied markedly among dietary patterns that were defined by meat and dairy intakes. These differences are of interest in the etiology of obesity and chronic diseases.
Bibliography:http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jand.2013.06.349
ObjectType-Article-1
SourceType-Scholarly Journals-1
ObjectType-Feature-2
content type line 23
ISSN:2212-2672
2212-2680
DOI:10.1016/j.jand.2013.06.349