Obesity 

Vegetarians are leaner than non-vegetarians and their weights are generally closer to desirable levels. The British Medical Association (1986) has stated that vegetarians have lower rates of obesity.

Appleby et al (1998) as part of the Oxford Vegetarian Study concluded that non meat eaters are thinner than meat eaters. This may be partly due to a higher intake of dietary fibre, alower intake of animal fat, and only in men a lower intake of alcohol.

Reference : Appleby. P et al. (1998) Low body mass index in non meat eaters: the possible roles of animal fat, dietary fibre and alcohol. Int Jnl Obesity v22 p.454-460 

Obesity Related Diseases


• 80% of type II diabetes related to obesity
• 70% of Cardiovascular disease related to obesity
• 42% breast and colon cancer diagnosed among obese individuals
• 30% of gall bladder surgery related to obesity
• 26% of obese people having high blood pressure


References: National Institute of Diabetes & Digestive & Kidney
Diseases (NIDDK) and My.WebMD.com website

Obesity Among Youth

! The prevalence of obesity among children aged 6-11 years has more than doubled in the past 20 years and among adolescents aged 12-19 has more than tripled.

! Overweight children and adolescents are more likely to become overweight or obese adults; one study showed that children who became obese by age 8 were more severely obese as adults.

Eating Behaviors of Young People

! Less than 40% of children and adolescents in the United States meet the U.S. dietary guidelines for saturated fat.

! Almost 80% of high school students do not eat fruits and vegetables 5 or more times per day.

! Only 39% of children ages 2-17 meet the USDA’s dietary recommendation for fiber (found primarily in dried beans and peas, fruits, vegetables, and whole grains).

From: 

Nutrition and the Health of Young People published by the U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, November 2008
 

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