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Vegetarian and weight-loss diets among young adults

Smith, CF and Burke, LE and Wing, RR (2000) Vegetarian and weight-loss diets among young adults. Obesity Research, 8 (2). 123 - 129. ISSN 1071-7323

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Abstract

Objective: Young adults frequently experiment with vegetarian and weight-loss diets. Comparisons of their experiences on these two different diets may help in the development of approaches to improve long-term adherence to weight-loss regimens. In the current study vegetarian and weight-loss diets were compared on how long and how strictly they were followed, and reasons why they were initiated and discontinued. Research Methods and Procedures: From 428 college students surveyed, four groups were delineated: 1) 59 participants had been following a vegetarian diet but not a weight-loss diet (Vegetarian), 2) 117 participants had tried a weight-loss diet but not a vegetarian diet (Weight Loss), 3) 133 participants had followed both a vegetarian and a weight-loss diet (Both), and 4) 119 participants had not tried either diet (Neither). Results: Differences were examined by comparing the Vegetarian and Weight-Loss groups as well as by comparing the two diets within the Both group. Duration of the vegetarian diet was much greater than the weight-loss diet; most participants in the Vegetarian group (62%) remained on their diet for more than 1 year, whereas the majority of the Weight-Loss participants (61%) followed their diet for 1 to 3 months. Similar results were found when comparing the two diets within the Both group. How strictly the two diets were followed, however, did not differ. Analyses revealed that reasons for discontinuing a diet varied; participants were more likely to cite boredom as a reason for discontinuing a weight-loss diet than a vegetarian diet (53% vs. 5% between groups and 30% vs. 10% within the Both group). Discussion: The longer duration of the vegetarian diet relative to the weight-loss diet warrants further investigation. Results could possibly be applied to behavioral weight-loss treatment to improve long-term maintenance.


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Details

Item Type: Article
Status: Published
Creators/Authors:
CreatorsEmailPitt UsernameORCID
Smith, CF
Burke, LElbu100@pitt.eduLBU1000000-0003-2434-9867
Wing, RR
Date: 1 January 2000
Date Type: Publication
Journal or Publication Title: Obesity Research
Volume: 8
Number: 2
Page Range: 123 - 129
DOI or Unique Handle: 10.1038/oby.2000.13
Schools and Programs: School of Nursing > Nursing
Refereed: Yes
ISSN: 1071-7323
MeSH Headings: Adolescent; Adult; Body Mass Index; Diet, Reducing; Diet, Vegetarian; Female; Humans; Male; Students; Time Factors; Weight Loss
PubMed ID: 10757198
Date Deposited: 24 Sep 2012 19:22
Last Modified: 26 Jan 2022 12:55
URI: http://d-scholarship.pitt.edu/id/eprint/14300

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