Vegetarian and weight-loss diets among young adults.
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.


METHODS
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).


CONCLUSIONS
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.
Smith
C F
CF
University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Western Psychiatric Institute and Clinic, Pennsylvania 15213, USA. smithcf@msx.upmc.edu
Burke
L E
LE
Wing
R R
RR
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D015992:Body Mass Index; D004038:Diet, Reducing; D014676:Diet, Vegetarian; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D013334:Students; D013997:Time Factors; D015431:Weight Loss