(U-WIRE) LAWRENCE, Kan. -- Vegetarianism may be related to a risk for eating disorders, according to a recent study.

The study, conducted at California State University-Northridge, found that college women who claimed to be vegetarians had a significantly greater risk of developing eating disorders than their meat-eating peers. Despite these findings, health professionals said properly practiced vegetarianism could be a healthy lifestyle.

"This study is not saying that all vegetarians are destined to develop a disorder," said Ann Chapman, dietician at Watkins Memorial Health Center. "This goes on a case-by-case basis totally."

The study consisted of 143 female college students. Of these 143 participants, 30 were self-reported vegetarians and 113 participants were non-vegetarians.

According to the study, all participants were similar in height, weight, age and body mass index. In addition, there was no difference in supplement use or meal skipping between the two groups.

Participants were asked to take the Eating Attitudes Test, a 40-item questionnaire commonly used to assess eating disorder tendencies. A score of greater than 30 indicates weight preoccupation and an increased risk for eating disorders.

Thirty-seven percent of the participating vegetarians recorded a score higher than 30. Eight percent of non-vegetarians scored above 30.

The median EAT score of vegetarians was 16.5, compared to a median score of 9.0 for non-vegetarians.

The study results showed vegetarians generally reported feeling extremely guilty after eating, as well as being preoccupied with a desire to be thinner.

Chapman said that many women used vegetarianism as a stepping stone to a dangerous diet.

"When women become restrictive with their diets due to the fear of weight gain, meat is one of the first things to go," Chapman said.

Madeline Baker, Huntsville, Texas, junior, did not become a vegetarian to lose weight. Baker quit eating meat eight months ago because of ethical and health reasons. But she agrees with Chapman that some women become vegetarians for the wrong reasons.

"Some people use vegetarianism as an excuse," Baker said. "It's a good front in public. It's an excuse to say 'Oh, I can't eat that, I'm a vegetarian.'"

The study supports Baker's thinking. Because vegetarianism is a socially acceptable lifestyle, the study said admitting to being a vegetarian may be an acceptable method of eliminating entire food groups.

The study also stated that vegetarianism could represent a food ritual, something common among those with eating disorders.

Chapman said, however, that this study does not mean vegetarianism was a dangerous lifestyle. She said that if vegetarians included essential nutrients in their diet, they would be fine.

"As long as the right components and nutrients are there, vegetarianism, and non-vegetarianism, can be healthy," she said.

(C) 2002 University Daily Kansan via U-WIRE

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Last updated: 09/27/2003 - 07:22 PM