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.

Keywords: Comportamiento alimentario; Dietas basadas en vegetales; Dietas veganas; Eating behaviour; España; Estilos de vida; Lifestyle; Plant-based diets; Spain; Vegan diets.