Veganism does not increase risk of eating disorders, USP research shows

The recent case of vegan influencer Zhanna Samsonova, who died after years of an extremely restricted diet based on raw vegetables, has drawn attention to this type of diet.

AGÊNCIA EINSTEIN – People who adopt a vegan diet – who do not consume products of animal origin – have a very low prevalence of dysfunctional eating behaviors, shows an unprecedented study from the University of São Paulo (USP). The findings presented by the authors contradict previous research that indicated a link between veganism and an increased risk of eating disorders, an association often seen in restrictive diets.

Recently, the case of the vegan influencer Zhanna Samsonova, who died after years of an extremely limited diet based on raw vegetables, has brought to light the need to identify patterns that may indicate eating disorders, regardless of the type of diet adopted.

The research evaluated 971 individuals who had been vegan for at least six months and who responded to questionnaires on lifestyle and food choices. Only 0.6% of the participants showed symptoms of the so-called “eating disorder”, which consists of dysfunctional behaviors and feelings about food and the body, normally associated with weight control or fitness.

While this pattern is not synonymous with an eating disorder, it is a risk factor for these disorders. The value found is ten times lower than that recorded in the general population in other studies conducted on people who adopt varied diets.

Regarding the reasons for food choices, the majority of respondents reported eating out of necessity or hunger, as well as selecting food based on preference or health. Only a small portion revealed motivations related to the control of emotions and social norms, often associated with dysfunctional behaviors. Reasons for choosing a vegan diet include ethical options and animal rights, environmental concerns, health and philosophy of life.

‘We observed that dysfunctional behavior in vegans is more associated with the motivations behind food choices than with the diet itself,’ says Professor Hamilton Roschel, coordinator of the applied physiology and nutrition research group at the Faculty of Medicine and School of Physics of Education at USP and coordinator of the study. “Understanding the motivations that lead people to choose any diet, including vegan ones, is important to help prevent and treat these dysfunctional behaviors and, therefore, eating disorders.”

Veganism

The vegan diet is characterized by the exclusion of foods of animal origin, such as meat, eggs and dairy products, based on vegetables, greens, cereals, among others. The option for this type of food has increased worldwide over the past decade. According to an annual international campaign (Veganuary Campaign) which encourages a temporary change in this food choice, the number of stakeholders has increased from 3,300 in 2013 to over 629,000 in 2022.

Source: Terra

Ben

Ben Stock is a lifestyle journalist and author at Gossipify. He writes about topics such as health, wellness, travel, food and home decor. He provides practical advice and inspiration to improve well-being, keeps readers up to date with latest lifestyle news and trends, known for his engaging writing style, in-depth analysis and unique perspectives.