Eating Behaviors of Vegetarians for Health Reasons - Term Paper Example

EATING BEHAVIORS OF VEGETARIANS FOR HEALTH REASONS By Introduction This study is based on the fact that people go for vegetarian diets for multiple reasons; some are forced by their body types, others do it for health reasons, some aim at reducing pollution, to others it is preserving nature, while to some, it is because they find slaughtering animals being an act of cruelty (Woginrich 2011, n.p.). In the recent past however, science has come out to justify that indeed, vegetarian diets have much more to offer than just people’s beliefs. It has been proven that the larger percentage of diseases occurring today is related to a person’s diet (Physicians Committee n.d., n.p.). Again, it has been shown that vegetarian diets minimize the risk of developing chronic diseases such as diabetes, high blood pressure, obesity, cardiovascular disorders, and a wide range of cancers. Group/ context In definition, vegetarians are people who abstain from the consumption of any meat, be it seafood, poultry, red meat, or any form of flesh (Vegetarian Society 2015, n.p.). Some vegetarians may avoid meat but consume animal by-products such as eggs, milk and cheese. A person may voluntarily choose to be vegetarian while some are forced by natural factors such as developing allergies when they consume animal flesh or by-products. In history, world-renowned leaders such as Bob Marley, Leonardo da Vinci, and Mahatma Gandhi advocated for vegetarian diets, asserting that it was the healthiest way of living (Vishny 2005, p.8). Theoretical Perspective The larger contexts of vegetarians argue that they opt for vegetarian diets because such diets come with more health benefits than other diets, including the omnivorous diet. Science perceives of this matter as a controversial one that cannot be justified or oriented towards one side. Similarly, science provides a conflicting theoretical perspective to this matter in that a vegetarian diet will have health benefits over other diets while at the same time; the other diets will have benefits over the vegetarian diet (Campbell & Rodriguez 2012, n.p.). Following these, the following case study will seek to analyze the eating behaviors of vegetarians and paying specific focus on the health reasons as provided by their choice of lifestyle as well as the respective consequences of their habits. Factors influencing their relationship with food The popularity of vegetarian eating habits for health reasons is increasing day by day according to Craig (2009, p.1628). Craig says that a vegetarian diet is better than a vegan one, and much beneficial over an omnivorous one. However, a purely vegan diet can result in deficiencies of vital nutrients such as long-chain n-3 omega-3 fatty acids (Joiner-Bey 2011, p.87),and Vitamins D and B-12. On the health reasons that drive people to vegetarian habits, he states that since vegetarians are leaner, they are less likely to develop cardiovascular diseases, obesity, and high blood pressure. This is because vegetables and fruits contain phytochemicals, fiber, folic acid, and antioxidants which reduce blood cholesterol levels (Wei et al 1995, p.124). Again, cancer risks are reduced. This is because fruits and vegetables contain flavonoids (Romagnolo 2012, p.206), carotenoids, vitamin C, fiber, and other nutrients that are known to protect against prostate cancer, colorectal cancer, stomach cancer, lung cancer, and mouth cancer (Craig 2009, p.1627). Beauchamp and Frey (2011) support this, stating that omnivores are more likely to develop cancer than vegetarians and vegans (p.892). Bryant (2012, p.269) states that the eating behaviors of vegetarians are simply a way of self-fulfillment. He argues that the reasons offered by vegetarians such as animal rights and avoiding disease are simply excuses to avoid the stigma that comes with being vegan (Rosen 2011, p.121). Some of the excuses provided by vegetarians include that they do not like the taste, touch, or smell of animal products. Again, some vegetarians blame their parents, saying they advised them against eating animal products (Yntema& Beard 2000, p.117). Collectively, Bryant (2012, p.270) writes that, “When a vegetarian claims better health a reason for their vegetarianism, he or she is essentially arguing for self-fulfillment.” Bryant states that such excuses are simply scapegoats to cover up issues such as bad nurturing of animals, bad handling of carcasses, and unhealthy flesh handling methods which may contribute to people turning to vegetarianism (Cresswell 2009, p.15-18). Consequences of their relationship with food Janelle and Barr (1995, p.180-189) conducted a survey on 45 women in western Canada to show whether vegetarian eating behaviors had any impacts on health. The participants were aged between 20 to 40 years, have BMIs of between 18 and 25, be nonsmokers, and not be on oral contraceptives. The study sought to investigate their menstrual disturbances. There were vegetarians and non-vegetarians. In the findings evaluated using chi 2 analysis, Duncan’s test, and the Pearson correlation, it was found that vegetarian women had lower restraint scores, lower energy per kilogram body weight, and significant associations between BMI and restraint. In a nutshell, it was evident that the vegetarians were healthier in that they were less likely to develop eating disorders (Bardone-Cone 2012, p.1247). Similarly, Hays, et al. (2002, p. 473) investigated the relationship between eating behavior, adult weight gain, and obesity in women aged between 55 and 65 years. The 638 participants’ disinhibition, restraint, and hunger were assessed using the eating inventory. Their weight and height were also recorded. The test was evaluated by providing some of the women with vegetarian diets and the rest were placed on an omnivorous diet. The study aimed at investigating whether eating habits had any significance in terms of regulating health. In the results, it was found that the omnivores, who had higher inhibition rates showed higher BMIs and greater weight gain (Clarys et al. 2014, p.1318). Therefore, the vegetarians were less likely to become obese (American Dietetic Association 2003, p.748). As such, it was justified that eating behaviors had significant effects on an individual’s health. Beezhold, Johnston, and Daigle (2010, p.26) conducted an experiment to ascertain whether a vegetarian diet had any benefits on health. 138 healthy participants were evaluated using a quantitative food frequency questionnaire, a profile of mood state questionnaires (POMS), and a depression anxiety stress scale, DASS. The participants included vegetarians and omnivores. In the findings, it was found that the omnivores had higher negative emotions than the vegetarians as measured by the POMS and DASS scores. In short, the vegetarians, whose diet was mainly of polyunsaturated fatty acid, can be said to have been healthier mentally than their omnivorous counterparts (Kornsteiner & Elmadfa 2008, p.37). According to Campbell (2013, p.6), China, a nation that is popular with advocating for nutrition asa great benefactor of health, supports the argument that vegetarianism is indeed healthier. To justify this, he states that while America spends far more per capita on matters healthcare yet over 15 million Americans have diabetes while two-thirds of the population is overweight (Hensley & Sones 2001, n.p.). In this, he implies that the ideal solution to health care has not been recognized. This is where China comes in. Vegetarian diets, which are common in China, are said to have multiple health benefits. They include; prevention of type 1 diabetes (Sabate 2001, p.123), providing an alternative for modern medications (Vegetarian Times 1992, p.76), reversing heart disease (Braverman&Braverman 2004, p.50), preventing kidney and gall stones (Pixley et al. 1985, p.11), creating antioxidant abundance in the body (from eating fruits), preventing prostate cancer (dairy foods increase its chances), better mental health, and finally reducing the risks of brain cancer which is related to the type of type of food that people eat (16-21). The vegetarian habit extends its benefits even to pregnant women, as Roberts (2008, p.8-9) reveals. She states that vegans live an average 8 years more than those who eat meat. Again, and specifically for expectant women, it is revealed that a vegetarian diet provides all the recommended dietary requirements during pregnancy. As such, meat is not a necessity. Mangels supports Roberts. Mangels (2011, p.110) states that vegans have added advantages in pregnancy. First of all, a vegetarian diet helps an expectant woman to attain the recommended weight during the onset of pregnancy. This prevents formation of underweight bodies (Fraser 2003, p.231). Again, being overweight, which is associated with bad or unhealthy eating habits, can result in gestational diabetes, elevated blood pressure, use of caesarian section, and preeclampsia (Mangels 2011, p.11). Again, the child is likely to be obese too. These problems, as Mangels states, can be prevented and reversed by eating vegetarian diets. Again, Vitamin B12 and folate (folic acid) are found in most vegan diets and prevent the developing child from birth defects such as spina bifida, mental disorders, and anencephaly (Refsum 2001, p.113). Still on matters reproductive health, the soybean, which is the most common substitute for animal protein, provides phytoestrogens which are important in the reproductive health of humans (Woclawek-Potocka, et al. 2013, p.1-15). Phytoestrogens, which are antioxidants, have been proven to cut the risks of mammary cancer to a significant extent (Bingham et al. 2003, p.212). Again, they prevent the spread of atherosclerosis and prevent cardiovascular diseases. Additionally, phytoestrogens are known to positively impact on vaginal infections and symptoms, hot flushes, dementia in postmenopausal women (Barnard & Inkeles1999, p.155), as well as in cognitive functioning (Norris & Messina 2011, p.167). Scientific studies show that unlike some claims that vegetarian habits reduce the risks of developing cancer, this was not the case. In a study conducted by Key, Appleby, and Rossell (2006, p.31), health benefits of vegetarian diets and omnivorous diets were compared for western and non-western countries. The findings showed that while low plasma concentrations (Beitz 2012, p.519) and low BMI were seen in the vegetarians, no significant differences between cancer development rates were recorded. Again, there were no differences in either mortality or any significant health issues between western and non-western nations. Conclusion As this study reveals, the matter of whether vegetarian eating habits have any effect on human health is controversial and not fully-addressed. This is because some scientific evidence supports and also disapproves the argument. Vegetarianism means avoiding animal products which according to some scientists could be detrimental to human health when some nutrients available in animal products only are not provided. Further evidence states that some people become vegetarians due to other reasons which are not health-related. However, the wider context of this study shows that indeed, most vegetarians choose this lifestyle owing to health reasons. It has been evidenced that vegetarian diets reduce the risks of developing health disorders such as obesity, cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure, several cancers, pregnancy complications, and birth defects in children. Collectively, these revelations state that indeed, a vegetarian diet habits are beneficial to one’s health, thus their embracement by many people today. Bibliography “Position of the American Dietetic Association: vegetarian diets” 2003, Journal of the American Dietetic Association 103. 6:748-765. Amato, P. R. & Partridge, S. A. (1989). The New Vegetarians Promoting Health and Protecting Life. Boston, MA, Springer US. http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:1111-20130927466. Bardone-Cone, A, Fitzsimmons-Craft, E, Harney, M, Maldonado, C, Lawson, M, Smith, R, & Robinson, D 2012, “The Inter-relationships between vegetarianism and eating disorders among females”, Journal of Academic Nutrition and Diet 112. 8: 1247-1252. Barnard, R, Inkeles, S 1999, “Effects of an intensive diet and exercise program on lipids in postmenopausal women”, Women’s Health Issues 9:155-161. Beauchamp, T, Frey, R 2011, The Oxford Handbook of Animal Ethics. Oxford University Press. Beezhold, B, & Johnston, B, & Daigle, D 2010, “Vegetarian diets are associated with healthy mood states: a cross-sectional study in Seventh Day Adventist Adults”, Nutrition Journal 9.1: 26. Beitz, D 2012, Animal Products in Human Nutrition. Elsevier Press. Bingham, S, Luben, R, Welch, A, Wareham, N, KhawKT, & Day N 2003 “Are imprecise methods obscuring a relation between fat and breast cancer?” Lancet 362:212-214. Braverman, E, &Braverman, D 2004, The Amazing way to Reverse Heart Disease Naturally, Basic Health Publications. Bryant, C 2012, Routledge Handbook of Deviant Behavior, Taylor & Francis. Campbell, T 2013, The China Study: The Most Comprehensive Study of Nutrition ever Conducted and the Stratling Implications for Diet, Weight Loss and Long-tern Health. BenBella Books Inc. Campbell, T, & Rodriguez, N 2012, “Would we be healthier with a Vegan Diet?” The Wallstreet Journal.Available at http://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10000872396390444184704577587174077811182 [30 April, 2015]. Clarys, P, Deliens, T, Huybrechts, I, Deriemaeker, Vanaelst, B, Keyzer, W, Hebbelinck, M, &Mullie, P 2014, “Comparison of nutritional quality of the vegan, vegetarian, semi-vegetarian, pesco-vegetarian, and omnivorous diet”, Nutrients 6. 3: 1318-1332. Craig, W, “Health Effects of Vegan Diets”,The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition 89. 5: 1627-16633. Cresswell, P 2009, Healthy Life Vegetarian Hand and Cook Book.Lulu. Hays, N, Bathalon, G, McCrory, M, Roubenoff, R, Lipman, R, & Roberts S 2002, “Eating behavior correlates of adult weight gain and obesity in healthy women aged 55-65 years”, American Journal of Nutrition 75.3 : 476-483. Hensley, T, &sones, M 2001, “Twin epidemics of diabetes and obesity continue to threaten the health of Americans, CDC says”, Journal of the American Medical Association. Iacobbo, K., & Iacobbo, M. (2004). Vegetarian America: a history. Westport, Conn, Praeger. Jannelle, K, & Barr, S 1995, “Nutrient intakes and eating behavior scores of vegetarian and nonvegetarian women”, Journal of American Dietary Association 95. 2: 187-188. Joiner-Bey, H 2011, The Healing Power of Flax: How Nature’s Richest Source of Omega-3 Fatty Acids can Help to Heal, Prevent and Reverse Arthritis. SCB Distributors. Key, T, Appleby, P, &Rosell M 2006, “Health Effects of Vegetarian and Vegan Diets”, The Nutrition Society 65.1: 35-41. Kornsteiner, M, & Elmadfa, I 2008, “Very low n-3 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acid status in Austrian vegetarians and Vegans”, NCBI 52.1: 37-47. Mangels, R 2011, The Eating Vegan Pregnancy Book: All you need to know for a Healthy Pregnancy that fits your Lifestyle. Adams Media. Norris, J, & Messina, V 2011, Vegan for Life: Everything You Need to Know to be Healthy and Fit on a Plant-based Diet. Da Capo Press. Physicians Committee, “Vegetarian Foods: Powerful for Health”, pcrm, available at http://www.pcrm.org/health/diets/vegdiets/vegetarian-foods-powerful-for-health [30 April, 2015]. Pixley, F, Wilson, D, McPherson, K, & Mann J 1985, “Effect of vegetarianism on development of gall stones in women”, Br Med J(Clin Res Ed)291(10) :11-12. Refsum, H 2001, “Folate, vitamin B12 and homocystine in relation to birth defects and pregnancy outcome”, NCBI/ British Journal of Nutrition 85. 2: 109-113. Reisch, L. A., & Thøgersen, J. (2015). Handbook of Research on Sustainable Consumption. http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&scope=site&db=nlebk&db=nlabk&AN=970461. Roberts, H 2008, Your Vegetarian Pregnancy: A month-by-month guide to Health and Nutrition. Simon & Schuster. Romagnolo, DF 2012, “Flavanoidss and cancer prevention: a review of the evidence”, Journal of Nutrition in Gerontology and Geriatrics 31. 1: 206-238. Rosen, S 2011, Food for the Soul: Vegetarianism and Yoga Traditions. ABC Clio. Sabate, J 2001, Vegetarian Nutrition.CRC Press. Vegetarian Society 2015, “What is a vegetarian?” Vegsec.Available at https://www.vegsoc.org/sslpage.aspx?pid=508 [30 April, 2015]. Vegetarian Times 1992, Vegetarian Times, Active Interest Media. Vishny, D 2005, You Don’t have to be a Treehugger to be a Vegan. Dan Vishny. Wei, H, Bowen, R, Cai, Q, Barnes, S, and Wang, Y 1995, “Antioxidant and antipromotional effects of the soybean isoflavonegenistein,” Proceedings of the Society for Experimental Biology and Medicine, 208. 1: 124–130. Woclaweck-Potocka, I, Mannelli, C, Boruszewska, D, Kowalczyk, I, Wasniewski, T, &Skarzynski, D 2013, “Diverse Effects of Phytoestrogens on the Reproductive Performance: Cow as a Model,” International Journal of Endocrinology. 1-15. Woginrich, Jenna 2011, “My beef isn’t with beef: why I stopped being a vegetarian”, The Guardian, available at http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/cif-green/2011/jan/19/vegetarian-animal-cruelty-meat [30 April, 2015]. Yntema, S, & Beard, C 2000, New Vegetarian Baby: An entirely new, updated edition of the classic guide to rasing your baby on the healthiest possible diet. McBooks Press. Read More