Author:
Bez Natalie S.,Haddad Joyce,Tedde Giulia S.,Rose Karolin,Ivanov Aljoscha V.,Milazzo Marina,Wickart Joëlle,Casale Giulia,D’Ascanio Michele,Van der Horst Klazine,Herter-Aeberli Isabelle,Bogl Leonie H.
Abstract
Abstract
Background
Vegan diets have recently gained popularity in Switzerland as well as globally. The aim of the present study was to develop a diet quality score for vegans (DQS-V) based on the Swiss dietary recommendations for vegans.
Methods
The dataset included 52 healthy vegan adults. Dietary intake data were assessed by three-day weighed food records. Body weight and height were measured, and a venous blood sample for the analysis of vitamin and mineral status was collected. Spearman rank correlation coefficients were used due to not-normally distributed data. Dietary patterns were identified using principal component analysis (PCA).
Results
The DQS-V score (mean ± SD) was 48.9 ± 14.7. Most vegans adhered to the recommended portions of vegetables, vitamin C-rich vegetables, fruits, omega-3-rich nuts, fats and oils, and iodized salt. However, the intake of green leafy vegetables, vitamin C-rich fruits, wholegrains, legumes, nuts and seeds, selenium-rich nuts, zero caloric liquid, and calcium-fortified foods was suboptimal. The sample overconsumed sweet-, salty-, fried foods, and alcohol. The DQS-V had a significantly positive correlation with intakes of fibre, polyunsaturated fatty acids, potassium, zinc, and phosphorus intakes (p’s < 0.05) but was negatively correlated with vitamin B12 and niacin intakes (p’s < 0.05). Two dietary patterns were derived from PCA: 1) refined grains and sweets and 2) wholegrains and nuts. The correlation between the DQS-V and the first dietary pattern was negative (− 0.41, p = 0.004) and positive for the second dietary pattern (0.37, p = 0.01). The refined grains and sweets dietary pattern was inversely correlated with beta-carotene status (− 0.41, p = 0.004) and vitamin C status (r = − 0.51, p = 0.0002).
Conclusion
The newly developed DQS-V provides a single score for estimating diet quality among vegan adults. Further validation studies examining the DQS-V in relation to an independent dietary assessment method and to biomarkers of nutritional intake and status are still needed before the general application of the DQS-V.
Funder
Foundation for the encouragement of Nutrition Research in Switzerland
Ekhagastiftelsen
Publisher
Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Subject
Health, Toxicology and Mutagenesis,Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health,Food Science
Reference51 articles.
1. Federal comission of nutrition. Vegan diets: review of nutritional benefits and risks. Expert report 2018
2. Swissveg. Umfrage zu den Vegetariern und Veganern in der Schweiz. Internet: https://www.swissveg.ch/veg-umfrage [cited 2022 Jan 19]
3. The Vegan Society. Statistics Worldwide. Internet: https://www.vegansociety.com/news/media/statistics/worldwide [cited 2022 Jul 21]
4. Spencer EA, Appleby PN, Davey GK, Key TJ. Diet and body mass index in 38000 EPIC-Oxford meat-eaters, fish-eaters, vegetarians and vegans. Int J Obes Relat Metab Disord. 2003;27:728–34.
5. Tonstad S, Butler T, Yan R, Fraser GE. Type of vegetarian diet, body weight, and prevalence of type 2 diabetes. Diabetes Care. 2009;32:791–6.