Vegetarian diets in Spain: temporal evolution through national health surveys and their association with healthy lifestyles

Abstract

Objective To assess the prevalent consumption trend between 2001 and 2017 and the healthy lifestyles associated with consuming a plant-based diet in the Spanish population.

Methodology A representative Spanish sample was analysed (>15 years old) from the Spanish National Health Survey for years 2001 (n = 8568), 2006 (n = 25,649), 2011 (n = 19,027) and 2017 (n = 21,986). The population was classified as omnivore, vegetarian, or vegan. The lifestyle variables were physical activity, tobacco and alcohol consumption, and body mass index (BMI). The χ2 test was used to evaluate diet change between 2001 and 2017. T-Student and χ2 were used to compare lifestyles of omnivores and vegetarians/vegans. Logistic regression was used to analyse lifestyles associated with plant-based diets.

Results 0.2% of the Spanish population followed a plant-based diet. Between plant-based diet consumers there was an increase in vegans vs. vegetarians between 2001 (9.5% vs. 90.5%) and 2017 (65.3% vs. 34.7%) (p = 0.007). Compared to 2001, following a plant-based diet was more likely in 2006 (OR = 2.08, p = 0.004), 2011 (OR = 1.89, p = 0.02) and 2017 (OR = 1.75, p = 0.04). Those who consume alcohol (OR = 0.65, p = 0.008), who were overweight (OR = 0.48, p < 0.001) or who were obese (OR = 0.40, p = 0.001) were less likely to consume a plant-based diet.

Conclusions Despite an increase in the consumption of plant-based diets between 2001 and 2017, there was a low prevalence of consumption in all years studied. There was a greater probability of consuming plant-based diets among the Spanish population with healthy behaviours. These findings could help design strategies focused on healthy nutritional behaviours.

Objetivo Evaluar la prevalencia, tendencia del consumo entre 2001 y 2017 y estilos de vida saludables asociados al consumo de dietas vegetarianas en población española.

Metodología Se analizó una muestra representativa española (≥15 años) con datos de las encuestas nacionales de salud de 2001 (n = 8.568), 2006 (n = 25.649), 2011 (n = 19.027) y 2017 (n = 21.986). La población se clasificó como omnívora, vegetariana o vegana. Las variables de estilos de vida fueron actividad física, consumo de tabaco y alcohol e índice de masa corporal (IMC). Se utilizó la prueba χ2 para evaluar el cambio de dieta entre 2001 y 2017. Se utilizó t de Student y χ2 para comparar estilos de vida de omnívoros y vegetarianos/veganos. Se utilizaron regresiones logísticas para asociar estilos de vida con dietas vegetarianas.

Resultados El 0,2% de la población española siguió una dieta vegetariana o vegana. Entre los consumidores de dietas vegetarianas hubo un aumento de veganos vs. vegetarianos, entre 2001 (9,5 vs. 90,5%) y 2017 (65,3 vs. 34,7%) (p = 0,007). En comparación con 2001, fue más probable seguir dietas vegetarianas en 2006 (OR = 2,08, p = 0,004), 2011 (OR = 1,89, p = 0,02) y 2017 (OR = 1,75, p = 0,04). Los consumidores de alcohol (OR = 0,65, p = 0,008), personas con sobrepeso (OR = 0,48, p < 0,001) y obesidad (OR = 0,40, p = 0,001) fueron menos propensos a consumir dietas vegetarianas.

Conclusiones A pesar del aumento en las dietas vegetarianas entre 2001 y 2017, hubo una baja prevalencia de consumo, en los años estudiados. Hubo mayor probabilidad de consumir dietas vegetarianas entre los españoles con comportamientos saludables. Estos resultados podrían ayudar a diseñar estrategias centradas en comportamientos nutricionales saludables.