Pros and Cons of Teen Vegetarianism

In general, vegetarians benefit from a high intake of fruits and vegetables, and lower intake of fat, and are typically not overweight. Adolescents and young adults who follow a vegetarian diet reap the same benefits, but also might be masking an eating disorder.

In a survey of 2,516 males and females ages 15 to 23, published in the April 2009 issue of the Journal of the American Dietetic Association, current vegetarians reported more binge-eating behavior than non-vegetarians, and former vegetarians were more likely than never vegetarians to engage in extreme unhealthful weight-control behaviors.

Lead researcher Dr. Ramona Robinson-O'Brien of the College of Saint Benedict-Saint John's University in St. Joseph, Minnesota, told Reuters Health that "Parents should talk to their child about the motivations for embarking on a vegetarian diet.” And, if the primary motivation is weight loss, “it is possible that he or she may also be experiencing body dissatisfaction," Robinson-O'Brien said.