Pulse Brain · Growing Health Evidence Index
Tier 3 — Observational / field trialPeer-reviewed

Dietary habits and self‐reported health outcomes in a cross‐sectional survey of health‐conscious adults eating a plant‐based diet

Isabelle Sadler, Alexander Bauer, Shireen Kassam

Journal of Human Nutrition and Dietetics · 2024

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Summary

This cross-sectional survey of 315 health-conscious UK adults examined dietary habits and self-reported health outcomes among those following plant-based diets. The majority consumed a whole food plant-based diet (61%), with high intake of fruits, vegetables, legumes, and whole grains, and low consumption of ultra-processed foods. Approximately half reported weight loss (median 6.4 kg), 35% reported reversing or improving an underlying health condition, and 15% reduced or stopped prescribed medications following adoption of a plant-based diet.

Regional applicability

This study was conducted in the United Kingdom among members of Plant-Based Health Professionals UK, making findings directly applicable to UK health-conscious populations adopting plant-based diets. The sample represents a relatively affluent, informed cohort with strong engagement in plant-based health communities, and findings may not generalise to broader UK dietary patterns or less health-motivated populations.

Key measures

Dietary intake (food frequency questionnaire), body mass index (kg/m²), weight loss (kg), prevalence of health condition reversal or improvement, medication use reduction, supplementation rates (vitamin B12, vitamin D)

Outcomes reported

The study measured dietary intake patterns via food frequency questionnaire and self-reported health outcomes including body mass index, weight loss, and improvements in underlying health conditions among adults consuming plant-based diets. Participants reported rates of nutritional supplementation (vitamin B12 and D) and medication use changes.

Theme
Nutrition & health
Subject
Dietary patterns & chronic disease
Study type
Research
Study design
Cross-sectional survey
Source type
Peer-reviewed study
Status
Published
Geography
United Kingdom
System type
Human clinical
DOI
10.1111/jhn.13321
Catalogue ID
SNmpyz6gpo-d0jzbq

Topic tags

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