Main Article Content

Abstract

Background: Vegetarian diets have grown in popularity partly because they have been linked to numerous health benefits. They are typically high in fiber and antioxidants and low in cholesterol, potentially lowering the risk of chronic diseases. On the other hand, diets established on meat and its products play a significant role in increasing the incidence of non-communicable diseases owing to their increased calorie density and extra saturated fat.


Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 121 adults recruited purposively from two Seventh-day Adventist churches in the Ede South Local Government area of Osun State.


Results: Most respondents (73.6 %) were non-vegetarian and 26.4% were vegetarian (65.6% semi-vegetarian, 25% lacto-ovo, and 9.4% vegans). Among the non-vegetarians, 4.0% were underweight, 42.0% were of normal weight, 44.0% were overweight, and 10.1 % were obese. Among Vegetarians, 56.3% and 43.7% were of normal weight and overweight, respectively.


Conclusion: The prevalence of obesity among non-vegetarians was high, indicating the need for nutritional education intervention on the health benefits of a vegetarian diet.

Keywords

Vegetarian diet non-vegetarian diet body mass index waist-to-hip ratio

Article Details

Author Biographies

Olariike Oyindasola Kayode, Osun State University, Nigeria

Olariike Oyindasola Kayode is a lecturer at Osun State University, Nigeria. His research interests include nutrition assessment, nutrition education, nutrition intervention using behavioral change communication, and non-communicable diseases.

Akin Oyebade , Adeleke University, Nigeria

Akin Oyebade is a medical doctor affiliated with Adeleke University in Nigeria. His research interests include disease control, disease surveillance, and health systems.

Adeola Oluwaseun Oshineye, Adeleke University, Nigeria

Adeola Oluwaseun Oshineye is a lecturer at Adeleke University, Nigeria. His research interests include disease control, disease prevention, primary health care, and non-communicable diseases.

Abayomi Tolu Olarinmoye, Adeleke University, Nigeria

Abayomi Tolu Olarinmoye, PhD, is a lecturer at Adeleke University in Nigeria and an expert in public health fieldwork practicum. His research interests include maternal and child health, violence prevention, mother and child care, bullying, child victimization, and violence perpetration.

Ayodeji Akinyemi Akinpelu , Adeleke University, Nigeria

Ayodeji Akinyemi Akinpelu is a medical doctor affiliated with Adeleke University in Nigeria. His research interests include public health management and administration, as well as health insurance.

How to Cite
Kayode, O. O., Oyebade , A., Oshineye, A. O., Olarinmoye, A. T., & Akinpelu , A. A. (2024). Anthropometric Characteristics of Vegetarian and Non- Vegetarian Adults in a Selected Local Government Area In Osun State, Nigeria. Pan-African Journal of Health and Environmental Science, 3(1), 27–36. https://doi.org/10.56893/ajhes2024v03i01.03

References

  1. Alewaeters, K., Clarys, P., Hebbelinck, M., Deriemaeker, P., & Clarys, J. P. (2005). Cross-sectional analysis of BMI and some lifestyle variables in Flemish vegetarians compared with non-vegetarians. Ergonomics, 48(11-14), 1433–1444. https://doi.org/10.1080/00140130500101031
  2. Craig, W. J., Mangels, A. R., & American Dietetic Association (2009). Position of the American Dietetic Association: vegetarian diets. Journal of the American Dietetic Association, 109(7), 1266–1282. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jada.2009.05.027
  3. Emrani, A. S., Beigrezaei, S., Zademohammadi, F., & Salehi-Abargouei, A. (2023). The effect of whole egg consumption on weight and body composition in adults: a systematic review and meta-analysis of clinical trials. Systematic Reviews, 12(1), 125. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13643-023-02277-3
  4. Chiu, Y. F., Hsu, C. C., Chiu, T. H., Lee, C. Y., Liu, T. T., Tsao, C. K., Chuang, S. C., & Hsiung, C. A. (2015). Cross-sectional and longitudinal comparisons of metabolic profiles between vegetarian and non-vegetarian subjects: a matched cohort study. The British Journal of Nutrition, 114(8), 1313–1320. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0007114515002937
  5. Fraser, G. (2003). Diet, Life Expectancy and Chronic Disease: Studies of Seventh-day Adventists and other Vegetarians. Oxford University Press.
  6. Fraser, G., Katuli, S., Anousheh, R., Knutsen, S., Herring, P., & Fan, J. (2015). Vegetarian diets and cardiovascular risk factors in black members of the Adventist Health Study-2. Public Health Nutrition, 18(3), 537–545. https://doi.org/10.1017/S1368980014000263
  7. Hauner H. (2015). Für wen sinnvoll, für wen gefährlich? [Vegetarian/vegan diet - reasonable or dangerous?]. MMW Fortschritte der Medizin, 157(10), 41–43. https://doi.org/10.1007/s15006-015-3134-y
  8. Saintila, J., Lozano López, T. E., Ruiz Mamani, P. G., White, M., & Huancahuire-Vega, S. (2020). Health-Related Quality of Life, Blood Pressure, and Biochemical and Anthropometric Profile in Vegetarians and Nonvegetarians. Journal of Nutrition and Metabolism, 2020, 3629742. https://doi.org/10.1155/2020/3629742
  9. Jenkins, A.L., Nguyen, N. A., Foster-Schubert, K.E., McTiernan, A. & Schwartz, R.S. (2017). Reductions of food intake following consumption of low-calorie soy-based noodles in a self-selective manner. Appetite, 114, 89-93.
  10. Melina, V., Craig, W., & Levin, S. (2016). Position of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics: Vegetarian Diets. Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, 116(12), 1970–1980. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jand.2016.09.025
  11. Pilis, W., Stec, K., Zych, M., & Pilis, A. (2014). Health benefits and risk associated with adopting a vegetarian diet. Roczniki Panstwowego Zakladu Higieny, 65(1), 9–14.
  12. Sabaté J. (2003a). The contribution of vegetarian diets to health and disease: A paradigm shift? The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 78(3 Suppl), 502S–507S. https://doi.org/10.1093/ajcn/78.3.502S
  13. Sabaté J. (2003b). Nut consumption and body weight. The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 78(3 Suppl), 647S–650S. https://doi.org/10.1093/ajcn/78.3.647S
  14. Spencer, E. A., Appleby, P. N., Davey, G. K., & Key, T. J. (2003). Diet and body mass index in 38000 EPIC-Oxford meat-eaters, fish-eaters, vegetarians and vegans. International Journal of Obesity and related Metabolic Disorders: Journal of the International Association for the Study of Obesity, 27(6), 728–734. https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.ijo.0802300
  15. St-Onge, M. P., Claps, N., Wolper, C., & Heymsfield, S. B. (2007). Supplementation with soy-protein-rich foods does not enhance weight loss. Journal of the American Dietetic Association, 107(3), 500–505. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jada.2006.12.002
  16. Tonstad, S., Butler, T., Yan, R., & Fraser, G. E. (2009). Type of vegetarian diet, body weight, and prevalence of type 2 diabetes. Diabetes Care, 32(5), 791–796. https://doi.org/10.2337/dc08-1886
  17. Vanacore, D., Messina, G., Lama, S., Bitti, G., Ambrosio, P., Tenore, G., Messina, A., Monda, V., Zappavigna, S., Boccellino, M., Novellino, E., Monda, M., & Stiuso, P. (2018). Effect of restriction vegan diet's on muscle mass, oxidative status, and myocytes differentiation: A pilot study. Journal of Cellular Physiology, 233(12), 9345–9353. https://doi.org/10.1002/jcp.26427
  18. Vang, A., Singh, P. N., Lee, J. W., Haddad, E. H., & Brinegar, C. H. (2008). Meats, processed meats, obesity, weight gain and occurrence of diabetes among adults: findings from Adventist Health Studies. Annals of nutrition & metabolism, 52(2), 96–104. https://doi.org/10.1159/000121365
  19. World Health Organization (1995). Physical status: The use of and interpretation of anthropometry (Technical Report Series No.854). World Health Organization. https://iris.who.int/handle/10665/37003
  20. World Health Organization (2000). Obesity: Preventing and managing the global epidemic (Technical report series, 894, i–253). World Health Organization. https://iris.who.int/handle/10665/42330
  21. World Health Organization (2008). Waist circumference and waist – Hip Ratio (Report of a WHO Expert Consultation Geneva, 8–11 December 2008). WHO Press.