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Vegetarian Healthy Diet Program - VEGETARIAN DIET ARTICLES INDEX |
Female Vegetarians - Risks of Eating DisordersAccording to a small study, college-aged women who describe themselves as vegetarians are more likely to be concerned with their weight and be at risk of developing an eating disorder. Vegetarians in the study were more likely to say they feel very guilty after eating, report that food controls their life, take laxatives, and turn to intense exercise to burn calories. These findings suggest that being a vegetarian, in some cases, may serve as a warning sign that a woman could develop an eating disorder - providing an opportunity to intervene before she endangers herself, the study authors write in the Journal of the American Dietetic Association. "Because vegetarianism is a socially acceptable lifestyle, admitting to being a vegetarian may be an acceptable method to eliminate entire food groups from the diet," according to Sheree A. Klopp and colleagues. Past research has suggested that some people adopt a vegetarian lifestyle in order to mask their dieting, they note. During the study, Klopp and her team gave 143 female college students questionnaires designed to measure eating behaviors and attitudes toward food. Among the 30 women who said they were vegetarians, most were classified as "semi-vegetarians," meaning they avoided red meat but would consume some chicken or fish. None of the women identified themselves as vegan, a diet that involves avoiding all foods derived from animals, including dairy products and eggs. The most common reason vegetarians gave for choosing their diet was health and nutrition, while 19 percent said they had done so to control their weight. Only 15 percent of study participants said they became vegetarians out of concern for animals. Klopp's team found that vegetarian women were more likely to be preoccupied with their weight and be at risk of developing an eating disorder than women who did not restrict their meat intake. More than one-third of self-reported vegetarians appeared to be at risk. In addition, vegetarians more often reported weighing themselves several times a day, opting for diet foods, and wanting to vomit after eating. Previous research has linked vegetarianism to a tendency toward eating disorders, and Klopp and her colleagues suggest that the two might be associated because both involve food rituals. In addition, people who cut out certain foods from their diet may obtain a feeling of "power and control over food, which is a desire of those with eating disorders," they note. SOURCE: Journal of the American Dietetic Association 2003;103:745-747. Vegetarian Healthy Diet Program |
Vegetarian Diet InformationVegetarianism is a healthy option and vegetarian
diets can be perfectly healthy eating plans but care should be taken to
ensure optimum nutrition. So, whether following an ovo-lacto or other
type of vegetarian food plan, or vegan diet, for a healthy body and weight
make it a balanced eating plan and take regular exercise. Always consult
a doctor before beginning a weight loss diet or new fitness routine.
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