Lifestyle Related Characteristics Of Adolescent Low-Meat-Consumers And Omnivores In Sweden And Norway

This abstract examines the lifestyle differences between vegetarian and omnivorous teenagers in Sweden, including exercise, the use of alcohol, and smoking.

Students from Sweden and Norway completed a questionnaire about health, family situation, social, exercise, tobacco and social habits.

No differences were noted between omnivores and low meat consumers with respect to alcohol, tobacco, weight or exercise.

Female low meat consumers used less tobacco, felt health was less important and were depressed more often than female omnivores.

Male low meat consumers were more tired, had more headaches and were more depressed than male omnivores.

This study concludes that vegetarianism or reduced meat consumption is a female phenomenon among this group of youths.

The adhesion to a low meat diet does not correlate to other health promotion practices among youth in Norway and Sweden.