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Comparison of food intake of vegetarian and non‐vegetarian adolescents (1024.12)
Author(s) -
Burkholder Nasira,
Siapco Gina,
Haddad Tabrizi Sara,
Sabate Joan
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.28.1_supplement.1024.12
Subject(s) - food science , red meat , food group , medicine , environmental health , refined grains , population , fish <actinopterygii> , whole grains , biology , fishery
Food intake of vegetarians in the US has been evaluated, however, data on foods consumed by vegetarian adolescents is limited. The aim of this research was to compare the food intake of adolescent vegetarians and non‐vegetarians. A cross‐sectional study was conducted among adolescents ages 12 to 18 years (312 females, 241 males, mean [SD] age =15.0 [1.7] years) from 10 schools in southern California and Michigan. Dietary intake was determined by a web‐based 150‐item food frequency questionnaire. Vegetarian was defined a priori as combined intake of meats and fish < 1 serving/week. Differences were analyzed using ANCOVA adjusting for age, gender, ethnicity, BMI z‐scores, and exercise. Vegetarians accounted for 18.6% of the study sample. Compared with non‐vegetarians, vegetarians consume significantly less servings of eggs, dairy, soda/sweetened drinks, pastries, and coffee/tea (all p’s < 0.01) but eat significantly more meat alternatives, fruits, soy beverages, cereals, legumes, and nuts (all p’s < 0.01). Intake of vegetables, bread/grains/pasta, pastries, and chips were similar for both groups. In this adolescent population, vegetarians consume more plant‐based foods and less sugar‐sweetened and caffeinated beverages than their non‐vegetarian counterparts. Displacement of dietary animal products results in greater consumption of meat analogs and soy products, but not eggs and dairy among the vegetarians.