Characterization of the dietary and sociodemographic profile of a group of Colombian vegetarian women in childbearing age during the period 2021-2022

Combariza, Manuela Calle; Restrepo, María Camila López; Carvajal, Mariana Aramburo; Arroyave, Natália Zuluaga; Restrepo, Mariana Restrepo; Velásquez, Santiago Gómez

doi:10.1590/1678-9865202336e220227

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ORIGINAL | Collective Health • Rev Nutr 36 • 2023 • https://doi.org/10.1590/1678-9865202336e220227 copy

Characterization of the dietary and sociodemographic profile of a group of Colombian vegetarian women in childbearing age during the period 2021-2022

Caracterização do perfil alimentar e sociodemográfico de um grupo de mulheres vegetarianas colombianas em idade fértil no período 2021-2022

Authorship SCIMAGO INSTITUTIONS RANKINGS

ABSTRACT

Objective

To determine the dietary and sociodemographic profile of vegetarian women of childbearing age (18 and 49 years) from the Valle de Aburrá Metropolitan Area in 2021-2022

Methods

Through an online survey, 232 vegetarian and vegan women of childbearing age (18 to 49 years) from the Valle de Aburrá Metropolitan Area were surveyed regarding their sociodemographic characteristics, amount of time following this eating pattern and, type and reason for choosing vegetarianism, physical activity, use of nutritional supplements and frequency of consumption of certain food groups. Descriptive analyses, association of variables with the type of vegetarianism and multinomial regression models were performed.

Results

A total of 232 vegetarian women were surveyed: 60.8% were between 18 and 30 years of age and belonged mainly to the middle class. According to the type of diet, 68.1% used an ovo-lacto-vegetarian diet, 18.1% were vegan, 9.0% lacto-vegetarian and 4.8% ovo-vegetarian. Among the factors evaluated in their potential relationship with the different types of vegetarianism, it is highlighted that vitamin B12 supplementation presents a statistically significant association when using veganism as a comparison category.

Conclusion

According to the results, among young female adults the vegetarian eating style predominates, without significant differences as to the educational level, adequate levels of physical activity in most of the population; there was a higher prevalence of ovo-lacto-vegetarianism. Vitamin B12 supplementation was significantly higher in the vegan population, indicating that ovo-lacto and ovo-vegetarian populations may be at high risk of vitamin B12 deficiency.

Keywords
Diet, vegan; Diet, vegetarian; Nutrients; Public health; Women’s health

Characterization of the dietary and sociodemographic profile of a group of Colombian vegetarian women in childbearing age during the period 2021-2022

Thank you for wishing to participate in this survey. The reason for its realization is a project that seeks to characterize the dietary and sociodemographic profile of women of childbearing age who are of legal age (18 to 49 years old vegetarians of the Metropolitan Area in 2021 - 2022). Participation in this study is voluntary; therefore, you may decide not to participate or withdraw at any time, for any reason.
It is essential that you understand this information so that your choice or decision to participate is taken freely. The data obtained will be kept confidential and its use will be restricted only to the investigation group; once the study is completed, they will be destroyed; the results obtained in this investigation are academic and professional and have no economic claim, nor is there a conflict of interest involved. They will only be presented at academic events and scientific publications, without mentioning the names of the participants.
The general objective or what is intended with this research project is: to determine the dietary and sociodemographic profile of vegetarian women of childbearing age and of legal age (18 to 49 years) in the Metropolitan Area, which will allow further studies to be carried out in the future, promote the implementation of new programs and the development of new products aimed at the vegetarian population of the city.
Your participation consists of completing this online survey that will include general information, sociodemographic data, consumption frequency, and vegetarianism characterization questionnaires.
Email address^*
Considering that participation in this study is completely voluntary, do you agree to participate?
□ Yes
□ No

Characterization of the dietary and sociodemographic profile of a group of Colombian vegetarian women in childbearing age during the period 2021-2022

Next, we will ask you about some sociodemographic characteristics.
1. What is your identification number? (This question is asked only for the purpose of analyzing and filtering the answers obtained)
2. What is your birth date? Month / Day / Year
3. What is your country of birth?
□ Colombia
□ Other: _________________
4. In which district do you live?
□ District 1 (Popular)
□ District 2 (Santa Cruz)
□ District 3 (Manrique)
□ District 4 (Aranjuez)
□ District 5 (Castilla)
□ District 6 (12 de Octubre)
□ District 7 (Robledo)
□ District 8 (Villa Hermosa)
□ District 9 (Buenos Aires)
□ District 10 (La Candelaria)
□ District 11 (Laureles-Estadio)
□ District 12 (La América)
□ District 13 (San Javier)
□ District 14 (El Poblado)
□ District 15 (Guayabal)
□ District 16 (Belén)
5. How long have you been living in Medellín?
□ Less than 1 year
□ Between 1 and 5 years
□ More than 10 years
□ Since birth
6. Which phone number can we use to contact you for future investigations? ____________________
7. What is your current level of education?
□ Primary
□ Secondary
□ College
□ Technologist Technician
□ Undergraduate
□ Postgraduate
□ No schooling
8. What socioeconomic stratum do you belong to?
□ Stratum 1
□ Stratum 2
□ Stratum 3
□ Stratum 4
□ Stratum 5
□ Stratum 6
9. Do you identify with any of the following religions?
□ Christianity
□ Catholicism
□ Hinduism
□ Judaism
□ Islamism
□ Buddhism
□ Spiritual
□ Atheist
□ Other: _____________
10. Do you do more than 150 minutes of physical activity per week?
□ Yes
□ No
11. Do you have any of these underlying conditions?
□ Dyslipidemia (alterations such as: total cholesterol, triglycerides, reduced LDL and HDL cholesterol)
□ Diabetes
□ Hypertension
□ Obesity (Body Mass Index (BMI) greater than 30 kg/m²)
□ History of cardiovascular diseases (heart attack, stroke, aneurysm arterial disease of the extremities)
□ Chronic kidney disease
□ None of the above
12. Are you currently pregnant?
□ Yes
□ No
13. Are you vegetarian or vegan?
□ Yes
□ No
14. How long have you been vegetarian or vegan?
□ Less than 1 year
□ Between 1 and 2 years
□ Between 2 and 4 years
□ More than 5 years
15. Did you choose to be a vegetarian or vegan for any of these reasons?
□ It is a type of food that helps the environment
□ It is a healthier diet
□ Out of respect for animals
□ Because you don’t like meat
□ Other: _________________________________________
16. What kind of vegetarianism do you identify with?
□ Ovo-lacto-vegetarian (You do not eat meat, poultry or fish)
□ Lacto-vegetarian (You do not eat eggs, meat, poultry or fish)
□ Ovo-vegetarian (You do not eat meat, chicken, fish or dairy)
□ Vegan (You do not eat meat, poultry, fish, dairy, eggs, gelatin, honey, or wear woolen clothes)
□ Other: _________________________________________
17. Do you take any kind of supplement?
□ Yes
□ No
18. If the answer above is yes, what supplement(s) do you take? ____________________________________________________
19. Do you have or have you had advice from a professional on your diet?
□ Yes
□ No
Consumption frequency
Next, we’ll ask you how often you eat certain food groups.
20. How often do you consume full-fat dairy (whole milk, full-fat yogurt, mozzarella cheese, curd)?
□ From 1 to 3 times a day
□ From 3 to 5 times a day
□ Once a week
□ 1 to 3 times a month
□ Never or almost never
□ From 1 to 3 times a day
□ From 3 to 5 times a day
□ Once a week
□ 1 to 3 times a month
□ Never or almost never
22. How often do you eat eggs?
□ From 1 to 3 times a day
□ From 3 to 5 times a day
□ Once a week
□ 1 to 3 times a month
□ Never or almost never
23. How often do you eat meat?
□ From 1 to 3 times a day
□ From 3 to 5 times a day
□ Once a week
□ 1 to 3 times a month
□ Never or almost never
24 How often do you consume greens and/or vegetables?
□ From 1 to 3 times a day
□ From 3 to 5 times a day
□ Once a week
□ 1 to 3 times a month
□ Never or almost never
25. How often do you eat fruit?
□ From 1 to 3 times a day
□ From 3 to 5 times a day
□ Once a week
□ 1 to 3 times a month
□ Never or almost never
26. How often do you eat nuts (almonds, hazelnuts, chestnuts, peanuts, macadamia nuts)?
□ From 1 to 3 times a day
□ From 3 to 5 times a day
□ Once a week
□ 1 to 3 times a month
□ Never or almost never
27. How often do you eat legumes (beans, peas, chickpeas)?
□ From 1 to 3 times a day
□ From 3 to 5 times a day
□ Once a week
□ 1 to 3 times a month
□ Never or almost never
28. How often do you consume olive oil?
□ From 1 to 3 times a day
□ From 3 to 5 times a day
□ Once a week
□ 1 to 3 times a month
□ Never or almost never
29. How often do you consume other fats such as butter, other types of vegetable and animal oils?
□ From 1 to 3 times a day
□ From 3 to 5 times a day
□ Once a week
□ 1 to 3 times a month
□ Never or almost never
30. How often do you eat whole grains flour (brown rice, whole wheat flour, barley, oats)?
□ From 1 to 3 times a day
□ From 3 to 5 times a day
□ Once a week
□ 1 to 3 times a month
□ Never or almost never
31. How often do you eat sweets (desserts, cakes, sweet foods)?
□ From 1 to 3 times a day
□ From 3 to 5 times a day
□ Once a week
□ 1 to 3 times a month
□ Never or almost never
32. How often do you drink alcoholic beverages?
□ From 1 to 3 times a day
□ From 3 to 5 times a day
□ Once a week
□ 1 to 3 times a month
□ Never or almost never
33. What is the number of glasses of water you drink per day?
□ 2 glasses
□ 4 glasses
□ 6 glasses
□ More than 8 glasses

Variable^* * n=232.		n	%
Age (years)
	18-30 years	141	60.8
	30-40 years	72	31
	41-49 years	19	8.2
Country of birth
	Brazil	1	00.4
	Colombia	227	97.9
	USA	1	00.4
	Venezuela	3	01.3
Level of study
	Graduated	83	35.8
	Undergraduate	84	36.2
	Postgraduate	65	28
Social stratum
	Low	17	07.4
	Medium	141	60.7
	High	74	31.9
Religion
	Religious	132	57
	Agnostic	50	21.5
	Atheist	50	21.5
Physical activity
	Yes	153	65.9
	No	79	34.1
Type of vegetarianism
	Lacto-vegetarian	21	9
	Ovo-lacto-vegetarian	158	68.1
	Ovo-vegetarian	11	04.8
	Vegan	42	18.1
B12 supplementation
	Yes	140	60.4
	No	92	39.6

Variable		Total n (%)	Lacto-vegetarian	Ovo-lacto-vegetarian	Ovo-vegetarian	Vegan	p-value
Variable		Total n (%)	21 (9.0%)	158 (68.1%)	11 (4.8%)	42 (18.1%)	p-value
Level of the study
	Graduate	83 (35.8)	7 (33.3)	58 (36.7)	2 (18.1)	16 (38.1)	0.764
	Undergraduate	84 (36.2)	9 (42.9)	53 (33.4)	5 (45.5)	17 (40.5)
	Postgraduate	65 (28)	5 (23.8)	47 (29.7)	4 (36.4)	9 (21.3)
Socioeconomic stratum
	Low	17 (7.3)	1 (4.8)	9 (5.7)	1 (9.1)	6 (14.3)	0.376
	Medium	132 (56.9)	10 (47.6)	92 (58.2)	8 (72.7)	22 (52.4)
	High	83 (35.8)	10 (47.6)	57 (36.1)	2 (18.2)	14 (33.3)
Religion
	Religious	132 (56.9)	14 (66.7)	88 (55.6)	7 (63.6)	23 (54.8)	0.782
	Agnostic	50 (21.5)	3 (14.3)	38 (24.1)	2 (18.2)	7 (16.7)
	Atheist	50 (21.6)	4 (19)	32 (20.3)	2 (18.2)	12 (28.5)
Physical activity
	Yes	153 (65.9)	17 (81)	103 (65.2)	9 (81.8)	24 (57.1)	0.185
	No	79 (34.1)	4 (19)	55 (34.8)	2 (18.2)	18 (42.9)
Frequency of legumes consumption
	Diary	171 (73.7)	17 (81)	109 (69)	9 (81.8)	36 (85.7)	0.117
	Weekly	61 (26.3)	4 (19)	49 (31)	2 (18.2)	6 (14.3)
Frequency of whole meal flours consumption
	Diary	89 (38.4)	14 (66.7)	47 (29.7)	5 (45.5)	23 (54.8)	0.008^* * significant at p<0.05. *The p-value is based on the Chi Square test of normality.
	Weekly	106 (45.6)	5 (23.8)	82 (51.9)	5 (45.5)	14 (33.3)
	Occasional	37 (15.9)	2 (9.5)	29 (18.4)	1 (9)	5 (11.9)
Frequency of sweets consumption
	Diary	111 (47.8)	7 (33.3)	81 (51.3)	7 (63.6)	16 (38.1)	0.150
	Weekly	81 (35)	10 (47.7)	55 (34.8)	1 (9.1)	15 (35.7)
	Occasional	40 (17.2)	4 (19)	22 (13.9)	3 (27.3)	11 (26.2)
Frequency of fruit consumption
	Diary	196 (84.5)	17 (81)	132 (83.5)	10 (90.9)	37 (88.1)	0.784
	Weekly	36 (15.5)	4 (19)	26 (16.5)	1 (9.1)	5 (11.9)
Frequency of nuts consumption
	Diary	119 (51.3)	13 (61.9)	75 (47.5)	8 (72.7)	23 (54.8)	0.480
	Weekly	82 (35.3)	7 (33.3)	58 (36.7)	2 (18.2)	15 (35.7)
	Occasional	31 (13.4)	1 (4.8)	25 (15.8)	1 (9.1)	4 (9.5)
Frequency of seed consumption
	Diary	91 (39.2)	12 (57.2)	47 (29.8)	7 (63.6)	25 (59.6)	0.002^* * significant at p<0.05. *The p-value is based on the Chi Square test of normality.
	Weekly	86 (37.1)	5 (23.9)	65 (41.1)	2 (18.2)	14 (33.3)
	Occasional	55 (23.7)	4 (19)	46 (29.1)	2 (18.2)	3 (7.1)
Frequency of alcoholic beverages intake
	Weekly	46 (19.8)	4 (19)	31 (19.6)	2 (18.2)	9 (21.4)	0.992
	Occasional	157 (67.7)	15 (71.5)	108 (68.4)	7 (63.6)	27 (64.3)
	Never	29 (12.5)	2 (9.5)	19 (12)	2 (18.2)	6 (14.3)
Professional advice
	Yes	153 (65.9)	15 (71.4)	102 (64.6)	8 (72.7)	28 (66.7)	0.884
	No	79 (34.1)	6 (28.6)	56 (35.4)	3 (27.3)	14 (33.3)
B12 supplementation
	Yes	140 (60.3)	13 (61.9)	83 (52.5)	5 (45.5)	39 (92.9)	<0.001^* * significant at p<0.05. *The p-value is based on the Chi Square test of normality.
	No	92 (39.7)	8 (38.1)	75 (47.5)	6 (54.5)	3 (7.1)
Protein supplementation
	Yes	40 (17.2)	6 (28.6)	28 (17.7)	2 (18.2)	4 (9.5)	0.299
	No	192 (82.8)	15 (71.4)	130 (82.3)	9 (81.8)	38 (90.5)
Vitamin D supplementation
	Yes	25 (10.8)	2 (9.5)	17 (10.8)	1 (9.1)	5 (11.9)	0.989
	No	207 (89.2)	19 (90.5)	141 (89.2)	10 (90.9)	37 (88.1)
Iron supplementation
	Yes	29 (12.5)	1 (4.8)	22 (13.9)	2 (18.2)	4 (9.5)	0.550
	No	203 (87.5)	20 (95.2)	136 (86.1)	9 (81.8)	38 (90.5)

Variables		β	Lacto-vegetarian vs vegan	p-value	β	Ovo-lacto-vegetarian vs vegan	p-value	β	Ovo-vegetarian vs vegan	p-value
Variables		β	OR adj (95% IC)	p-value	β	OR adj (95% IC)	p-value	β	OR adj (95% IC)	p-value
Age (years)
	18-30		(reference)			(reference)			(reference)
	31-40	-1.585	0.0.535 (0.012-22.199)	0.099	-1.121	0.325 (0.085-1.237)	0.099	0.180	1.197 (0.114-12.522)	0.880
	41-49	-2.328	0.097 (0.006-1.362)	0.084	-2.540	0.078 (0.010-0.577)	0.012^* * significant at p<0.05. *The P value is based on the Chi Square test of normality.	2.614	13.652 (0.481- 386.930)	0.126
Level of the study
	Graduate		(reference)			(reference)			(reference)
	Undergraduate	0.338	1.402 (0.318-6.181)	0.655	0.087	1.091 (0.383-3.107)	0.870	0.909	2.484 (0.226-27.254)	0.457
	Postgraduate	1.412	1.412 (0.476-35.376)	0.199	1.582	4.865 (1.041-22.728)	0.044^* * significant at p<0.05. *The P value is based on the Chi Square test of normality.	0.514	1.672 (0.095-29.171)	0.725
Socioeconomic stratum
	Low		(reference)			(reference)			(reference)
	Medium	1.623	5.068 (0.316-81.249)	0.252	1.639	5.153 (0.925-28.685)	0.061	0.794	2.212 (0.094-51.558)	0.621
	High	1.746	5.734 (0.354-92.894)	0.219	1.421	4.144 (0.714-24.042)	0.113	-0.227	0.796 (0.028-22.254)	0.893
Religion
	Religious		(reference)			(reference)			(reference)
	Agnostic	-1.273	0.280 (0.045-1.732)	0.171	-0.421	0.656 (0.200-2.147)	0.486	-0.691	0.500 (0.052-4.774)	0.548
	Atheist	-1.153	0.314 (0.063-1.567)	0.158	-0.650	0.521 (0.184-1.475)	0.220	-0.729	0.482 (0.045-5.132)	0.546
Physical activity (>150 min per week)
	No		(reference)			(reference)			(reference)
	Yes	0.896	2.451 (0.551-10.905)	0.239	-0.024	0.961 (0.395-2.656)	0.961	1.378	3.968 (0.482-32.625)	0.200
Frequency of legumes consumption
	Daily		(reference)			(reference)			(reference)
	Weekly	0.499	1.648 (0.324-8.365)	0.547	0.958	2.608 (0.861-7.896)	0.090	1.034	2.814 (0.279-28.312)	0.380
Frequency of whole meal flours consumption
	Daily		(reference)			(reference)			(reference)
	Weekly	-0.815	0.442 (0.095-2.038)	0.295	0.776	2.174 (0.813-5.816)	0.122	1.299	3.667 (0.386-34.762)	0.167
	Occasional	-0.877	0.4157 (0.047-3.636)	0.428	0.406	1.502 (0.371-6.074)	0.568	-1.011	0.363 (0.013-9.817)	0.380
Frequency of sweets consumption
	Daily		(reference)			(reference)			(reference)
	Weekly	0.458	1.581 (0.382-6.545)	0.527	-0.011	0.988 (0.360-2.712)	0.982	-2.950	0.052 (0.002-1.103)	0.058
	Occasional	-0.361	0.696 (0.118-4.091)	0.689	-1.208	0.298 (0.089-0.993)	0.049^* * significant at p<0.05. *The P value is based on the Chi Square test of normality.	-0.932	0.393 (0.049-3.117)	0.377
Frequency of fruit consumption
	Daily		(reference)			(reference)			(reference)
	Weekly	1.776	5.908 (0.863-40.449)	0.070	0.596	1.816 (0.467-7.062)	0.389	0.771	2.163 (0.099-47.250)	0.624
Frequency of nuts consumption
	Daily		(reference)			(reference)			(reference)
	Weekly	-0.713	0.489 (0.112-2.129)	0.341	-0.513	0.598 (0.213-1.676)	0.329	-1.662	0.189 (0.016-2.223)	0.186
	Occasional	-2.306	0.099 (0.004-2.110)	0.139	-0.898	0.407 (0.077-2.147)	0.290	0.012	1.013 (0.035-28.675)	0.994
Frequency of seed consumption
	Daily		(reference)			(reference)			(reference)
	Weekly	0.105	1.110 (0.242-5.096)	0.892	0.895	2.448 (0.874-6.860)	0.088	-0.952	0.385 (0.031-4.670)	0.454
	Occasional	1.849	6.356 (0.700-57.68)	0.100	2.423	11.285 (2.260-56.337)	0.003^* * significant at p<0.05. *The P value is based on the Chi Square test of normality.	1.240	3.458 (0.200-59.677)	0.393
Frequency of alcoholic beverages intake
	Weekly		(reference)			(reference)			(reference)
	Occasional	0.177	1.194 (0.235-6.058)	0.830	0.169	1.185 (0.385-3.642)	0.767	0.715	2.045 (0.150-27.858)	0.591
	Never	-0.250	0.778 (0.068-8.781)	0.839	0.092	1.096 (0.220-5.464)	0.910	-0.212	0.808 (0.033-19.789)	0.896
Professional advice
	No		(reference)			(reference)			(reference)
	Yes	0.434	1.544 (0.379-6.284)	0.544	-0.182	0.833 (0.324-2.142)	0.705	0.538	1.713 (0.234-12.515)	0.595
B12 supplementation
	No		(reference)			(reference)			(reference)
	Yes	-2.747	0.064 (0.011-0.347)	0.001^* * significant at p<0.05. *The P value is based on the Chi Square test of normality.	-2.775	0.062 (0.015-0.250)	<0.001^* * significant at p<0.05. *The P value is based on the Chi Square test of normality.	-3.348	0.035 (0.004-0.297)	0.002^* * significant at p<0.05. *The P value is based on the Chi Square test of normality.
Protein supplementation
	No		(reference)			(reference)			(reference)
	Yes	1.558	4.749 (0.868-25.989)	0.072	1.112	3.041 (0.755-12.245)	0.118	1.310	3.706 (0.307-44.701)	0.302
Vitamin D supplementation
	No		(reference)			(reference)			(reference)
	Yes	-0.110	0.894 (0.100-7.972)	0.921	0.3740	1.453 (0.385-5.482)	0.581	-2.251	0.105 (0.008-13.288)	0.362
Iron supplementation
	No		(reference)			(reference)			(reference)
	Yes	-1.023	0.359 (0.028-4.523)	0.428	0.545	1.725 (0.462-6.441)	0.417	1.084	2.959 (0.187-46.660)	0.441

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