Y.S. Wong
Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Medical Centre, Malaysia
S. Shalini
Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Medical Centre, Malaysia
M.R. Farah Liana
Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Medical Centre, Malaysia
W.M.S. Wan Nurul Amera
Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Medical Centre, Malaysia
M.Y. Mohd Naqiuddin
Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Medical Centre, Malaysia
A.W. Norhazlina
Department of Physiology, University Kebangsaan Malaysia Medical Centre, Malaysia
M.I. Zaleha
Department of Community Health, University Kebangsaan Malaysia Medical Centre, Malaysia
ABSTRACT
Vegetarians adhering to a well-planned diet are assumed to meet nutrient requirements. This study was designed to evaluate the nutrient intake of adult vegetarians and non-vegetarians in Kuala Lumpur. A cross-sectional comparison between three types of diet practices was carried out in Kuala Lumpur, with 35 respondents in each group (non-vegetarian, ovolacto-vegetarian and strict-vegetarian). Anthropometric indices such as weight and body fat composition were measured using TANITA electronic balance scale, while three-day dietary recalls was assessed using a computer dietary analysis software programme, Nutritionist-pro. Statistical analysis had shown non significant difference in the three diet practices with respect to anthropometric indices. The benefits of vegetarian practices were obviously presented in the dietary intake of nutrients. Both ovolacto-vegetarians and strict-vegetarians had significantly higher mean dietary intake of fiber, folate, magnesium, vitamin A and vitamin C than non-vegetarians (p<0.01). Surprisingly, some of the potential nutrient deficiencies among strict-vegetarians such as calcium, iron and zinc achieved the Recommended Nutrient Intakes (RNI) for Malaysia. However, the dietary habits of vegetarians were very heterogeneous and some of them did not comply with the requirements for calcium, iron zinc and vitamin B12. Malaysian vegetarians in this study generally have a better nutrient intake than non-vegetarians. Education on proper meal planning should be implemented among vegetarians to prevent potential nutritional deficiencies.
PDF References
How to cite this article
Y.S. Wong, S. Shalini, M.R. Farah Liana, W.M.S. Wan Nurul Amera, M.Y. Mohd Naqiuddin, A.W. Norhazlina and M.I. Zaleha, 2013. Nutrient Intake Pattern of Vegetarians and Non-Vegetarians in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Pakistan Journal of Nutrition, 12: 371-376.
DOI: 10.3923/pjn.2013.371.376
URL: https://scialert.net/abstract/?doi=pjn.2013.371.376
DOI: 10.3923/pjn.2013.371.376
URL: https://scialert.net/abstract/?doi=pjn.2013.371.376
REFERENCES
- ADA, 2003. Position of the American dietetic association and dietitians of Canada: Vegetarian diets. J. Am. Diet. Assoc., 103: 748-765.
Direct Link - Craig, W.J. and A.R. Mangels, 2009. Position of the American dietetic association: Vegetarian diets. J. Am. Diet. Assoc., 109: 1266-1282.
PubMedDirect Link - Deriemaeker, P., K. Alewaeters, M. Hebbelinck, J. Lefevre, R. Philippaerts and P. Clarys, 2010. Nutritional status of Flemish vegetarians compared with non-vegetarians: A matched samples study. Nutrients, 2: 770-780.
CrossRef - Heaney, R.P., 2000. Calcium, dairy products and osteoporosis. J. Am. Coll. Nutr., 19: 83S-99S.
Direct Link - Huang, Y.C., W.J. Lin, C.H. Cheng and K.H. Su, 1999. Nutrient intakes and iron status of healthy young vegetarians and nonvegetarians. Nutr. Res., 19: 663-674.
CrossRef - Key, T.J., P.N. Appleby and M.S. Rosell, 2006. Health effects of vegetarian and vegans diets. Proc. Nutr. Soc., 65: 35-41.
Direct Link - Key, T.J., P.N. Appleby, E.A. Spencer, R.C. Travis, N.E. Allen, M. Thorogood and J.I. Mann, 2009. Cancer incidence in British vegetarians. Br. J. Cancer, 101: 192-197.
CrossRefDirect Link - Koebnick, C., I. Hoffmann, P.C. Dagnelie, U.A. Heins and S.N. Wickramasinghe et al., 2004. Long-term ovo-lacto vegetarian diet impairs vitamin B-12 status in pregnant women. J. Nutr., 134: 3319-3326.
PubMedDirect Link - Larsson, C.L. and G.K. Johansson, 2002. Dietary intake and nutritional status of young vegans and omnivores in Sweden. Am. J. Clin. Nutr., 76: 100-106.
Direct Link - Lea, E. and A. Worsley, 2002. The cognitive contexts of beliefs about the healthiness of meat. Public Health Nutr., 5: 37-45.
PubMedDirect Link - Rajaram, S. and J. Sabate, 2000. Health benefit of vegetarian diet. Nutrition, 16: 531-533.
Direct Link - Shahar, S., J. Earland and S. Abdul Rahman, 2000. Validation of a dietary history questionnaire against a 7-D weighed record for estimating nutrient intake among rural elderly Malays. Malaysian J. Nutri., 6: 33-44.
Direct Link - Szeto, Y.T., T.C.Y. Kwok and I.F.F. Banzie, 2004. Effects of a long-term vegetarian diet on biomarkers of antioxidant status and cardiovascular disease risk. Nutrition, 20: 863-866.
CrossRef - Wilson, A.K. and M.J. Ball, 1999. Nutrient intake and iron status of Australian male vegetarians. Eur. J. Clin. Nutr., 53: 189-194.
PubMedDirect Link - Yen, C.E., C.H. Yen, M.C. Huang, C.H. Cheng and Y.C. Huang, 2008. Dietary intake and nutritional status of vegetarian and omnivorous preschool children and their parents in Taiwan. Nutr. Res., 28: 430-436.
CrossRef