GRAZ/GIESSEN (NNA) – A study at the Medical University of Graz on the connection between diet and health has caused a stir because its outcome suggests that a vegetarian diet does not necessarily correlate with better health. Instead, subjects eating a carnivorous diet rich in fruit and vegetables fared better than vegetarians.

The study involved 1,320 people in Austria. The aim of the research was to detect differences in the health of adults in Austria according to different types of diet, as a basis for appropriate healthcare policies. This is the first study of its kind in Austria.

According to the results of already available scientific research, initial expectations were that lower consumption of meat would correlate with lower rates of cardiovascular disease and cancer, as well as longer life expectancy. Such a correlation was apparently not confirmed by the study in Austria.

Four dietary groups

Participants in the study were divided into four dietary groups: vegetarian diet (330); carnivorous diet rich in fruit and vegetables (330); carnivorous diet less rich in meat (330); carnivorous diet rich in meat (330). Dietary habits were referenced to age and socioeconomic status. Of the participatns, 76.4 percent were female; 40 percent under the age of 30; 35.4 percent between 30 and 49; and 24 percent were over 50. Socioeconomic status was identified as low for 30.3 percent; middle for 48.8 percent; high for 20.9 percent.

According to the results of the study, vegetarians have the lowest body mass index (BMI) (22.9), followed by subjects eating a carnivorous diet less rich in meat (23.4), rich in fruits and vegetables (23.5), and rich in meat (24.9). For alcohol consumption, subjects following a vegetarian diet (2.6 days in the last 28 days), or a carnivorous diet rich in fruits and vegetables (3.0 days), consumed alcohol significantly less frequently than those eating a carnivorous diet less rich in meat (4.4 days), or rich in meat (4.8 days). ]

Ongoing long-term studies needed

All things considered, however, the state of health of the vegetarians was said to be worse than for those in the other dietary groups. They manifested higher rates of cancer, allergy, chronic disease, and psychiatric illness such as depression or anxiety disorder. They had more frequent recourse to medical treatment and attended less frequently for medical check-ups. The researchers categorised the vegetarians’ quality of life as lower than that for the other dietary groups, based on state of health, environmental factors and social relationships. The researchers pointed out, however, that this outcome might have resulted from the vegetarians taking up a vegetarian diet because of a pre-existing medical condition which they hoped to improve thereby.

The researchers considered ongoing, longterm scientific studies to be necessary, for instance to document the connection between diet and cancer. They have reservations as to the validity of the results because of dietary habits which, instead of being monitored, were described by the participants themselves. However the documented correlation between diet and weight would tend to weaken this objection.

Doubts

Dietary experts in the Association for Independent Healthcare Advice (UGB) in Giessen, Germany however have fundamental doubts as to the findings of the study, and allege serious methodological shortcomings. They maintain that more than half of the so-called vegetarians were not vegetarian, as persons had been allocated to that group who ate meat to a greater or lesser extent. According to a press release issued by the Association, a representative sample ought to be scientifically tenable, and would look different.

Dr. Markus Keller of the UGB also cast doubt on the clinical findings in the study. He pointed out that non-professionals substantially overestimated the incidence of actual allergic conditions. The subjective classification by subjects of depression and anxiety disorders was also not congruent with medical definitions. The widespread contention in the media that the study documented 150 percent more heart attacks in vegetarians than in meat eaters was simply incorrect.

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Reference:

Burkert NT, Muckenhuber J, Großschädl F, Rásky E, Freidl W (2014) Nutrition and Health – The Association between Eating Behavior and Various Health Parameters: A Matched Sample Study. PLoS ONE 9(2): e88278. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0088278

Item: 140422-02EN Date: 22 April 2014

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