Hidden Dangers of Teen Vegetarianism

Whilst many studies have shown adult vegetarians may lead healthier and longer lives, teenage vegetarianism may sometimes be a mask for more serious eating disorders according to Researchers at the University of Minnesota.

Scientists questioned 5,000 teenage students from Minnesota on their eating habits and 6% classed themselves as vegetarians. Worryingly, the main reason for choosing a vegetarian diet was to lose or maintain weight. Vegetarians weighed themselves more often and were more likely to be dissatisfied with their bodies than non-vegetarians.

Vegetarians, particularly male vegetarians, were also more likely to have been involved in unhealthy weight control practices such as self-induced vomiting, laxatives and slimming pills, to have contemplated suicide and less likely to exercise on a regular basis.

Dr Cheryl L. Perry, leading the research commented, "Our study indicates that adolescent vegetarians are more likely than adult vegetarians to be vegetarians for weight-control than for health reasons".

Edith Maskell of Bromley Health Management commented, "Deciding to follow a vegetarian diet is a great way to take back control over your health. Particularly with recent scares over meat, it's a positive step towards deciding what you will and won't put into your body".

"The danger is, it can sometimes be used as an excuse to turn down food, or to avoid eating with others, which might indicate a more serious eating disorder".

Saturday, 2 February 2002