Vegetarians, both men and women, have a 50% higher risk of hip fractures than regular meat eaters, according to a large study at the University of Leeds in England.
Vegetarian women are known to have an increased risk of hip fractures, but the reasons for this are unclear, and studies examining the effects of vegetarian diets on men are small and inconclusive.
Global population growth and longevity have led to an increase in the number of older people worldwide, leading to an increase in the prevalence of chronic diseases such as frailty, osteoporosis, and sarcopenia (the gradual loss of muscle mass). increased risk of falls and fractures. Fractures of the proximal femur lead to significant loss of independence and quality of life, risk of fractures, other chronic diseases, and premature death. Minimizing the risk of hip fractures has become a public health priority, as the days of hospitalization following such fractures represent a significant financial burden on the healthcare system.
British researchers analyzed data from more than 400,000 men and women combined and found for the first time that vegetarian men were at higher risk of hip fractures than men who ate meat on a regular basis. discovered. We also identify several factors that may put both male and female vegetarians at risk.
They published their findings under the title ‘Risk of hip fractures in meat eaters, pescatarians and vegetarians: a prospective cohort study of 413,914 UK Biobank participants’. BMCmedicine.
How does a vegetarian diet increase the risk of hip fractures?
James Webster, a postdoctoral fellow in the University’s School of Food Science and Nutrition, who led the study, said: “Hip fractures are an increasing problem in an aging society, leading to poor health and poor quality of life. It can cause it,” he said. The study shows that while vegetarians have a higher risk of femoral neck fractures than meat eaters, this translates to 3 out of 1,000 femoral neck fractures over 10 years. increase. The health benefits of a vegetarian diet, such as reduced risk of cancer and cardiovascular disease, may still outweigh the increased risk of femoral neck fractures. Our analysis suggests that low body mass index (BMI) may be a major contributing factor to increased risk. ”
Study subjects recruited between 2006 and 2010 (all part of the UK Biobank project) provided information on their diet and were either habitual meat eaters eating meat 5 or more times a week, or 5 times a week. classified as meat eaters. Occasional meat eaters who eat meat less than 5 times a week. Pescatarians eat fish but not meat. Or a vegetarian who eats dairy products but no fish or meat. Data on individuals were linked with hospital records, and cases of hip fracture were recorded during the follow-up period to 2021.
Among 413,914 participants, there were 3,503 cases of hip fracture, with an overall incidence of less than 1 percent (0.8%). The overall risk of femoral neck fracture was low, but the relative risk between vegetarians and normal meat eaters was high. Researchers found that vegetarians, regardless of gender, had a 50% higher risk than regular meat eaters. There was no difference in risk between occasional and regular meat eaters. And pescatarians had a slightly higher risk (8%) than normal meat eaters, but this was not a significant difference.
Scientists have calculated how these relative differences translate to real-world cases. They predicted that, on average, 6.5 regular and 6.5 occasional meat eaters will experience a hip fracture, while 7 pescatarians and 9.5 vegetarians will.
Webster also said that vegetarians are about 17 percent less likely to meet protein recommendations than meat eaters. “Thus, a key message from our study is that vegetarians should ensure they consume a balanced diet containing sufficient protein and maintain a healthy BMI. It helps maintain healthy bones and muscles.”
