Self-defined vegetarians in British Columbia, Canada, show healthier dietary and lifestyle practices.

Recently, a study of men and women living in British Columbia, Canada, showed that vegetarians were more physically active than non-vegetarians and were more likely to consider improving or maintaining their health when choosing foods. This was a population-based study using the British Columbia Health Registry, so the participants mirror the general British Columbian population. This study is also significant because few population-based studies have compared dietary intake and behavior between vegetarians and non-vegetarians.

Of the 1,817 participants, approximately 6 percent identified themselves as vegetarian. However, of this 6 percent, 75 percent consumed fish at least occasionally, 58 percent consumed poultry at least occasionally, and 22 percent consumed red meat at least occasionally. Vegetarians in this population tended to be mainly lacto-ovo vegetarians, and they tended to be younger, female, and low-income in status. Female vegetarians tended to engage in moderate to strenuous physical activity most days of the week and were less likely to be classified as overweight or obese compared to female non-vegetarians. Both male and female vegetarians were less likely to be smokers.

Both male and female vegetarians had more fiber, magnesium, and potassium in their diets and used more supplements than non-vegetarians. This study also found female vegetarians were less likely to have inadequate intakes of folate, vitamin [B.sub.6], thiamin, and vitamin C compared to non-vegetarians. Vegetarians of both genders consumed more fruits and vegetables and were more likely to consider health when choosing or avoiding food compared to non-vegetarians. Taken altogether, vegetarians were, as readers might expect, more health conscious as evidenced by their increased awareness and practice of dietary and lifestyle considerations that are important in maintaining good health.

Bedford JL, Barr SI. 2005. Diets and selected lifestyle practices of self-defined adult vegetarians from a population-based sample suggest they are more 'health conscious.' Int J Behav Nutr Phys Act 2:4.

* This review of a study examining the dietary habits and lifestyle choices of British Columbian vegetarians was written by Melissa Wong, VRG Dietetic Intern.