Vegetarianism among first-year students from a public university in southern Brazil, 2018

Abstract

Objective: To identify the prevalence of vegetarianism and associated factors among students at a public university in southern Brazil. Methods: Cross-sectional study carried out between 2017-2018, including all first-year students from the university. Questionnaire was applied to assess the type of diet (omnivorous or vegetarian). Logistic regression was used to verify associated factors (demographic, socioeconomic, course, health-related behaviors and nutritional status). Results: Of 2,706 eligible individuals, 1,841 were part of the sample. The predominant type of diet was omnivorous (93.6%), followed by ovolactovegetarian (5.4%), strict vegetarian (0.7%), ovovegetarian (0.2%) and lactovegetarian (0.1%). Women (RO=0.58 – 95%CI 0.38;0.89), enrolled in Linguistics, Letters and Arts (RO=2.59 – 95%CI 1.42;4.71) and those in harmful use of alcohol (RO=2.02 – 95%CI 1.34;3.04) were more likely to be vegetarians than men, enrolled in social sciences and without harmful use, respectively. Conclusion: The vegetarian diet was associated with sex, course area and alcohol use.