Dataset Information

Pattern analysis of vegan eating reveals healthy and unhealthy patterns within the vegan diet.

ABSTRACT:

Objective

This study aimed to identify the types of foods that constitute a vegan diet and establish patterns within the diet. Dietary pattern analysis, a key instrument for exploring the correlation between health and disease, was used to identify patterns within the vegan diet.

Design

A modified version of the EPIC-Norfolk FFQ was created and validated to include vegan foods and launched on social media.

Setting

UK participants, recruited online.

Participants

A convenience sample of 129 vegans voluntarily completed the FFQ. Collected data were converted to reflect weekly consumption to enable factor and cluster analyses.

Results

Factor analysis identified four distinct dietary patterns including: (1) convenience (22 %); (2) health conscious (12 %); (3) unhealthy (9 %) and (4) traditional vegan (7 %). Whilst two healthy patterns were defined, the convenience pattern was the most identifiable pattern with a prominence of vegan convenience meals and snacks, vegan sweets and desserts, sauces, condiments and fats. Cluster analysis identified three clusters, cluster 1 'convenience' (26·8 %), cluster 2 'traditional' (22 %) and cluster 3 'health conscious' (51·2 %). Clusters 1 and 2 consisted of an array of ultraprocessed vegan food items. Together, both clusters represent almost half of the participants and yielding similar results to the predominant dietary pattern, strengthens the factor analysis.

Conclusions

These novel results highlight the need for further dietary pattern studies with full nutrition and blood metabolite analysis in larger samples of vegans to enhance and ratify these results.

SUBMITTER: Gallagher CT

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9991567 | biostudies-literature | 2021 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Publications

Pattern analysis of vegan eating reveals healthy and unhealthy patterns within the vegan diet.

Gallagher Catherine T CT Hanley Paul P Lane Katie E KE

Public health nutrition 20210511

<h4>Objective</h4>This study aimed to identify the types of foods that constitute a vegan diet and establish patterns within the diet. Dietary pattern analysis, a key instrument for exploring the correlation between health and disease, was used to identify patterns within the vegan diet.<h4>Design</h4>A modified version of the EPIC-Norfolk FFQ was created and validated to include vegan foods and launched on social media.<h4>Setting</h4>UK participants, recruited online.<h4>Participants</h4>A con ...[more]

PMID: 33971998

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Project description:BackgroundThe Healthy Eating Index (HEI) estimates the diet quality, and low HEI scores are associated with adverse bone outcomes. However, the relationship between HEI scores and bone health in individuals who are obese but otherwise healthy or obese with comorbidities remains unclear.ObjectiveWe aimed to evaluate the association of HEI scores with bone mineral density (BMD), bone regulating hormones and bone turnover markers in individuals with metabolically healthy obese (MHO) and metabolically unhealthy obese (MUO) phenotypes.MethodsThis was a cross-sectional analysis of 122 adults who were overweight or obese. A questionnaire was completed to obtain demographic data. Body composition and BMD were assessed by a Dual Energy X-Ray Absorptiometry (DXA) exam. The HEI scores and dietary components were calculated using a 24-h dietary recall. Blood samples were collected for the analysis of serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (s25OHD), total osteocalcin (OC), parathyroid hormone (PTH), and C-terminal telopeptide (CTx) concentrations. The MHO and MUO phenotypes were classified according to the absence or presence of metabolic abnormalities.ResultsThe sample mean age was 37.91 ± 12.66 years, 50.8% were men, mean body mass index (BMI) was 30.01 ± 4.63 kg/m2, and 45.9% were classified as the MUO phenotype. The mean HEI scores were 54.42 ± 16.25 and 61.48% had low-diet quality. HEI scores were positively associated with s25OHD in the MUO phenotype group (β = 0.194, 95%CI = 0.038-0.350, p = 0.016). Certain dietary score components, such as fruits, seafood and plant protein, added sugars, whole grains, and fatty acids were also associated with bone health markers. However, HEI scores were not associated with BMD measures, neither with other bone regulating hormones and turnover markers.ConclusionThere was a positive association between HEI scores and s25OHD in adults who were overweight or obese with MUO phenotype. Additionally, the adequate consumption of specific food groups may benefit bone mass and metabolism. These results emphasize the importance of lifestyle interventions encouraging healthy eating habits to prevent s25OHD deficiency, poor bone health, and cardiometabolic complications.

Project description:ImportanceIt remains controversial whether adhering to a vegan diet may be associated with a higher prevalence of disordered eating. Also, main food choice motives and their association with disordered eating in this population are still unknown.ObjectiveTo determine the association between disordered eating attitudes and food choice motives of individuals who follow a vegan diet.Design, setting, and participantsThis is a cross-sectional online survey conducted between September 2021 and January 2023. Individuals of both sexes, aged 18 years or older, following a vegan diet for at least 6 months, currently living in Brazil were recruited through advertisements on social media.ExposureAdherence to a vegan diet and food choice motives.Main outcomes and measuresDisordered eating attitudes and food choice motives.ResultsNine hundred seventy-one participants completed the online survey. Median (IQR) age and BMI of participants was 29 (24-36) years and 22.6 (20.3-24.9), respectively, and 800 participants (82.4%) were female. Most participants (908 respondents [94%]) were categorized with the lowest level of disturbed eating attitudes. "Need and hunger," "liking," "health," "habits," and "natural concerns" were the most important food choice motives in this population, while "affect regulation," "social norms," and "social image" were the less important ones. Adjusted models showed that "liking," "need and hunger," and "health" were associated with lower levels of disordered eating attitudes, while "price," "pleasure," "sociability," "traditional eating," "visual appeal," "social norms," "social image," "weight control," and "affect regulation" were associated with higher levels of disordered eating attitudes.Conclusions and relevanceIn this cross-sectional study, as opposed to previous suggestions, levels of disordered eating were very low among vegans, although certain food choice motives were associated with disordered eating attitudes. Understanding the motivations of adhering to diets that may impose restrictions, which include vegan diets, may help tailor interventions focused on promoting healthy eating and preventing or treating disordered eating.

Dataset Information

Pattern analysis of vegan eating reveals healthy and unhealthy patterns within the vegan diet.

Objective

Design

Setting

Participants

Results

Conclusions

Publications

Pattern analysis of vegan eating reveals healthy and unhealthy patterns within the vegan diet.

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