The truth about vegetarianism in young adults

Thursday April 2, 2009 (foodconsumer.org) --  After reading the results of a recent study conducted by the University of Minnesota, the University of Texas, and St. John’s University, the old adage “moderation in all things” quickly comes to mind.

According to researchers, adolescents who commit themselves to a vegetarian diet are more likely to engage in unhealthy eating disorders, such as binging/purging, consuming diet pills, and abusing diuretics, than those who follow a more traditional meal plan.

Certainly, a diet filled with vibrantly colored fruits and vegetables in and of itself is considered healthy; those committed to such a diet will reap the benefits. However, the above mentioned study definitely raises questions about the reasons behind why a teenager may choose to conform to such a dietary regimen. Is it truly to gain the benefits of an anti-oxidant filled, cancer-fighting diet, or is it a back handed way to try and lose an inordinate amount of weight?

While it was determined that the young adults studied (a group of males and females aged 15 to 23) who are vegetarian are less obese than those who are not, there are some troubling indicators. Though they have avoided losing the kind of control that leads to obesity, they have chosen a new venue for expressing some very out-of-control behavior: that of binging and purging.

Clearly, those who are in a position to do so (health care givers, parents, counselors) should try and ascertain the motives behind a radical change in lifestyle, such as a switch to vegetarianism. By providing information on meal planning and nutrition, teens and young adults can learn how to ensure they are getting the right kinds of protein and other nutrients necessary to maintain a healthy weight and lifestyle.

Written by Rachel Stockton and edited by Heather Kelley.