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How Well Do Their Dietary Patterns Meet the Healthy People 2010 Objectives?

Cheryl L. Perry, PhD; Maureen T. McGuire, PhD; Dianne Neumark-Sztainer, PhD, RD; Mary Story, PhD, RD

Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med. 2002;156:431-437.

Objectives  To examine whether adolescent vegetarians were more likely than nonvegetarian peers to meet the dietary recommendations of the Healthy People 2010 objectives and to examine differences in other nutrients between these 2 groups.

Design  A total of 4746 adolescents from 31 middle and high schools in the Twin Cities area of Minnesota. Data were collected via self-report surveys, with a student response rate of 81.5%.

Setting  Urban secondary schools.

Participants  Participants were equally divided by sex. The mean age was 14.9 years; 34.3% were in junior high school and 65.7% in high school. The racial/ethnic distribution was 48.5% white, 19.0% African American, 19.2% Asian American, 5.8% Hispanic, 3.5% American Indian, and 3.9% mixed or other.

Main Outcome Measures  Questions on vegetarian status and whether particular foods (eggs, dairy foods, chicken, fish) were excluded. Dietary intake was assessed using the Youth and Adolescent Food Frequency Questionnaire.

Results  Vegetarian adolescents were significantly more likely than nonvegetarian adolescents to meet the Healthy People 2010 objectives. This was particularly noteworthy for total fat (70% vs 48%), saturated fat (65% vs 39%), daily servings of vegetables (26% vs 14%), and 5 or more servings of fruits and vegetables (39% vs 28%). Vegetarians were also less likely to eat fast food or drink regular soda and fruit drinks. Vegetarians consumed less vitamin B₁₂, more diet soda, more caffeine, and more iron.

Conclusion  Adolescent vegetarians have a dietary pattern that is more likely than nonvegetarians to meet the Healthy People 2010 objectives.

From the Division of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis.

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