Comparing the nutritional status of vegetarians and non-vegetarians from a Buddhist Organisation in Kuala Lumpur Malaysia

Wan Ying Gan, . and Boo Shirley, . and Mei Yee Seik, . and Hock Eng Khoo, . Comparing the nutritional status of vegetarians and non-vegetarians from a Buddhist Organisation in Kuala Lumpur Malaysia. pp. 89-101. ISSN 1394-035X

A vegetarian diet is generally considered as healthy for preventing metabolic-related diseases. There is lack of studies in Malaysia comparing the nutritional status of vegetarians and non-vegetarians. This cross-sectional study aims to compare body weight status dietary intake and blood pressure level between these two groups. Methods: A total of 131 vegetarians and 135 non-vegetarians were recruited using convenience sampling from a Buddhist organisation in Kuala Lumpur. Body weight height waist circumference percentage of body fat and blood pressure measurements were taken while dietary intake was assessed using a 2-day 24-hour dietary recall. Results: More vegetarians were underweight than non-vegetarians (31.3 vs 15.6) while prevalence of overweight and obesity was higher among the non-vegetarians (23.7 vs 9.9). A higher proportion of nonvegetarians (34.1) had an unhealthy range of body fat percentage and significantly higher risk of abdominal obesity (24.4) than the vegetarians (19.1 body fat; 13.7 abdominal obesity). Mean intakes for protein and fat were significantly lower among the vegetarians while no significant differences were observed in the mean intake for energy and carbohydrate. Vegetarians had significantly higher intakes of vitamins C D and E calcium potassium and folate while vitamin B12 intake was significantly higher in the non-vegetarians. More non-vegetarians presented with unhealthy blood pressure status. Conclusion: Vegetarians in this study generally showed healthier dietary intake and lower body fatness than the non-vegetarians. Studies are suggested to be undertaken on a bigger sample size of vegetarians to confirm these findings.

Full text available from: Official URL: http://www.nutriweb.org.my/mjn/2018.php

Abstract

A vegetarian diet is generally considered as healthy for preventing metabolic-related diseases. There is lack of studies in Malaysia comparing the nutritional status of vegetarians and non-vegetarians. This cross-sectional study aims to compare body weight status dietary intake and blood pressure level between these two groups. Methods: A total of 131 vegetarians and 135 non-vegetarians were recruited using convenience sampling from a Buddhist organisation in Kuala Lumpur. Body weight height waist circumference percentage of body fat and blood pressure measurements were taken while dietary intake was assessed using a 2-day 24-hour dietary recall. Results: More vegetarians were underweight than non-vegetarians (31.3 vs 15.6) while prevalence of overweight and obesity was higher among the non-vegetarians (23.7 vs 9.9). A higher proportion of nonvegetarians (34.1) had an unhealthy range of body fat percentage and significantly higher risk of abdominal obesity (24.4) than the vegetarians (19.1 body fat; 13.7 abdominal obesity). Mean intakes for protein and fat were significantly lower among the vegetarians while no significant differences were observed in the mean intake for energy and carbohydrate. Vegetarians had significantly higher intakes of vitamins C D and E calcium potassium and folate while vitamin B12 intake was significantly higher in the non-vegetarians. More non-vegetarians presented with unhealthy blood pressure status. Conclusion: Vegetarians in this study generally showed healthier dietary intake and lower body fatness than the non-vegetarians. Studies are suggested to be undertaken on a bigger sample size of vegetarians to confirm these findings.

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Item Type:	Article
AGROVOC Term:	Vegetarians
AGROVOC Term:	Diet
AGROVOC Term:	Sampling
AGROVOC Term:	Cross sectional analysis
AGROVOC Term:	Body weight
AGROVOC Term:	Blood pressure
AGROVOC Term:	Dietary value
AGROVOC Term:	Nutritional status
AGROVOC Term:	Height
AGROVOC Term:	Body fat
Depositing User:	Ms. Suzila Mohamad Kasim
Last Modified:	24 Apr 2025 06:29
URI:	http://webagris.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/24726

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