Vegetarianismo y trastornos alimentarios en adolescentes de São Paulo, Brasil

Objective: To evaluate eating disorders risk behaviors and unhealthy weight control practices among adolescents who consider themselves as vegetarians and those who are omnivorous.Material and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in 12 technical schools in the city of São Paulo, Brazil. The sample included 1167 adolescents (51% female), aged 14 to 19 (mean age, 16). Adolescents stated whether they were currently vegetarian, and the sample was dichotomized as vegetarian and non-vegetarian. The two groups were compared as regards weight status, eating disorder risk behavior, unhealthy weight control methods and the perception of healthy eating.Results: About 4% of the sample was currently vegetarian, most of them female (70.8%), and females were 2.89 times more likely to be vegetarian than males. No relationship was found between the vegetarian status and unhealthy weight control behavior; however the vegetarian group considered their diet to be healthier than the non-vegetarian group (P=.04).Conclusions: The frequency of vegetarianism, as well the frequency of eating disorder risk behaviors had no association in this adolescent sample from São Paulo, Brazil.Objetivo: Evaluar el riesgo de trastornos alimentarios y conductas no saludables de control del peso entre adolescentes que afirman ser vegetarianos y los que afirman ser omnívoros.Material y Métodos: Estudio transversal realizado en 12 escuelas técnicas de la ciudad de São Paulo, Brasil. La muestra incluyó a 1.167 adolescentes (el 51% mujeres) entre 14 y 19 años de edad (media, 16). Los adolescentes declaraban si eran vegetarianos en aquel momento, por lo que la muestra se dividió en vegetarianos y no vegetarianos. Se compararon los dos grupos en cuanto a peso, trastornos alimentarios, métodos no saludables de control del peso y la percepción de alimentación saludable.Resultados: Cerca del 4% de la muestra declaró ser vegetariana, la mayoría eran mujeres (70,8%) y para las mujeres ser vegetarianas era 2,89 veces más probable que para los varones. No se encontró asociación entre ser vegetariano y los comportamientos no saludables de control del peso. Sin embargo, el grupo de vegetarianos considera que su alimentación es más saludable que la del grupo de no vegetarianos (p = 0,04).Conclusiones: La frecuencia del vegetarianismo y la frecuencia de trastornos alimentarios fueron menores en esta muestra de adolescentes de São Paulo, Brasil