Vegetarianism And…Eating Disorders?
This just in, young vegetarians are more likely to report having been afflicted by an eating disorder than their meat-eating counterparts, according to the Journal of the American Dietetic Association.
The study, which consisted of both men and women, suggests that while vegetarians had healthier diets and were less likely to be obese, they also were more likely to fess up to to an eating disorder. Researchers found that former veggies experienced a higher risk of “unhealthful weight control behaviors” and that current vegetarians were prone to binge eating.
I’ll skip the lecture and leave it at this: Eat up! Healthy food is good for you and one of the true pleasures in life. Aim for an engaging relationship with your meals and you’ll be too focused on culinary awesomeness to worry about your weight.
Posted: April 5th, 2009 under News.
Comments
Comment from Sarah
Time April 9, 2009 at 8:33 am
It’s possible. It would be interesting to see if the study looked at intentional vegetarians versus accidental vegetarians (i.e. those who are only eating salad for weight-loss purposes).
That joke (and your observation) definitely has truth, though. My first veggie years totally bordered on pizzatarianism!
Comment from Peter
Time January 11, 2010 at 2:22 pm
The reality is that if you’re vegetarian (much more so with vegans), you’ve already proven that you can control your diet and give up great tasting food. Even in public, a serious vegan will forgo eating, if no vegan friendly food is available.
If you’re able to do this, you’re much more likely to be able to stick with an unhealthy, calorie restricted diet than the general population.
Comment from Sarah
Time January 11, 2010 at 3:35 pm
Peter: While I do agree that vegetarians/vegans may be a bit higher in the self-control category than others, I think it is a misnomer that vegans/vegetarians give up “great tasting food.” Most of us tend to eat pretty well, and some even border on being epicures!
Comment from Tuco
Time April 8, 2009 at 3:09 pm
I haven’t looked at the study yet (which I probably will) but I’m wondering if this has to do with young veggies who haven’t read enough of the nutritional literature and are just eating tons of bread and cereal?
I think the joke in the medical community is that some vegetarians might as well be called “carbatarians”.