- People can take a variety of approaches to diet.
- Some people, for example, prefer to eliminate meat from their diets for many health, environmental, and ethical reasons.
- Data from a recent study found that people following a vegetarian diet were at a higher associated risk for hip fractures compared to participants who ate meat or fish.
- People following a vegetarian diet can ensure they eat a well-balanced diet that contains all the essential nutrients to reduce their risk of experiencing bone fractures.
W​hat people eat influences multiple aspects of their well-being. Not eating meat is a popular dietary choice and may offer several health benefits. However, researchers are still seeking to understand the potential risks of following a vegetarian diet.
A recent​
The results of the study showed that both men and women who followed a vegetarian diet were at higher risk for hip fractures. This was partly related to the lower body mass index among participants who followed a vegetarian diet.
The study is published in
T​his prospective cohort study included over 400,000 participants. Researchers used data from the UK Biobank, which includes individuals from England, Scotland, and Wales ages 40–69 years.
Researchers looked at the risk for hip fractures, following up with participants an average of twelve and a half years later. They excluded participants based on specific criteria, including if they had a previous hip fracture or osteoporosis history.
Based on food frequency questionnaires, researchers divided participants into four key groups:
- Regular meat-eaters: These participants reported eating meat five or more times weekly.
- Occasional meat-eaters: These participants ate meat less than five times each week.
- Pescatarians: These participants ate fish but otherwise did not eat meat.
- Vegetarians: These participants all ate no meat….
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