Vegetarian diets and colon cancer: the German experience.
The study assessed mortality and morbidity risks as related to nutritional status of moderate and strict vegetarians in Germany. The total cohort of 1904 self-identified persons was followed up for 11 y. Compared with national mortality rates for Federal Republic of Germany, the observed deaths for all causes were below expectation by a factor of 0.44 for men and 0.53 for women. The mortality for colon cancer was reduced [standardized mortality ration (SMR 44.1 for men and 77.9 for women]. No deaths were observed from rectal cancer. A vegetarian lifestyle of long duration (> or = 20 y) was associated with decreased overall and cancer mortality. Other determinants of decreased cause-specific mortality were physical activity, body weight, and strictness of adherence to the life-style. The relationship between a vegetarian and fiber-rich diet and a decreased risk for colon cancer has been reported in many studies. In this study, the influence of other factors such as health-conscious behavior and a healthy lifestyle seem to indicate partly stronger effects than nutrition itself. This may explain the generally better health of moderate vegetarians.
Frentzel-Beyme
R
R
Bremen Institute for Prevention Research and Social Medicine, Germany.
Chang-Claude
J
J
D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000401:mortality; D003110:Colonic Neoplasms / Q000401:mortality*; D014676:Diet, Vegetarian; D005260:Female; D005858:Germany; D006801:Humans; D008019:Life Style; D008297:Male; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000401:mortality; D013997:Time Factors