Why do doctors say “Vegetarian diets are a Healthy Choice for young people”?
WASHINGTON—A study was published in the April 2009 issue of the Journal of the American Dietetic Association on vegetarian diets and eating disorders. The study appears to have been misinterpreted by some reporters as suggesting that a vegetarian diet might lead to eating disorders. This is not what the study showed. Children and young adults following vegetarian diets have more healthful eating habits than other children and are less likely to develop weight problems. While people with eating disorders sometimes adopt vegetarian diets, no evidence suggests that vegetarians are likely to fall prey to eating disorders. “When a child decides to become a vegetarian, that is something to be welcomed,” said Neal Barnard, M.D., president of the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine. “This is not a reason for worry; it is a reason for parents to be happy—that child has just cut his or her risk of being overweight or having heart disease.” Here is a brief summary of the study’s finding
A study was published in the April 2009 issue of the Journal of the American Dietetic Association on vegetarian diets and eating disorders. The study appears to have been misinterpreted by some reporters as suggesting that a vegetarian diet might lead to eating disorders. This is not what the study showed. Children and young adults following vegetarian diets have more healthful eating habits than other children and are less likely to develop weight problems. While people with eating disorders sometimes adopt vegetarian diets, no evidence suggests that vegetarians are likely to fall prey to eating disorders. “When a child decides to become a vegetarian, that is something to be welcomed,” said Neal Barnard, M.D., president of the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine. “This is not a reason for worry; it is a reason for parents to be happy—that child has just cut his or her risk of being overweight or having heart disease.” Here is a brief summary of the study’s findings. The stud
