IJCS | Volume 32, Nº6, November / December 2019

DOI: 10.5935/2359-4802.20190044 623 ORIGINAL ARTICLE International Journal of Cardiovascular Sciences. 2019;32(6):623-634 Mailing Address: Carolina Vieira de Mello Barros Pimentel Rua Brasílio Machado, 380, apto 1004. Postal Code: 01230-010, Vila Mariana, São Paulo, SP – Brazil. E-mail: cpimentel@carolinapimentel.com.br Nutritional Status, Lifestyle and Lipid Profile in Vegetarians Carolina Vieira de Mello Barros Pimentel, 1, 2 S ônia Tucunduva Philippi, 1 V iviane Lazari Simomura, 2 E lisabeth Teodorov 3 Faculdade de Saúde Pública da Universidade de São Paulo, 1 São Paulo, SP – Brazil Universidade Paulista, 2 São Paulo, SP – Brazil Universidade Federal do ABC, 3 São Paulo, SP – Brazil Manuscript received on May 04, 2018, revised manuscript on November 12, 2018, accepted on December 10, 2018. Abstract Background: Vegetarian diets have been linked to reduced risk of chronic noncommunicable diseases, since they positively modulate biochemical parameters, particularly those related with glycemic control and lipemia, and considered as potential strategy for weight control. Objective: To compare the nutritional status, lifestyle and lipid profile of adult vegetarians with omnivores in a sample of individuals in the city of São Paulo. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study. Anthropometric, biochemical and lifestyle variables were compared between vegetarians and omnivores. A significance level of 5% was considered for all analyses. Results: Vegetarians were more likely to practice physical activity (64.3% vs 42.5%, p = 0.056) and consuming dietary supplements (48.1% vs 20.5%, p = 0.012). There was no statistically significant difference for the variables: age, sex, triglycerides, total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein between the two groups. Vegetarians had significantly lower weight [60.8 kg (56.7 – 69.4) vs 71.1 kg (58.0 – 75.4), p = 0.038], BMI [22.4 kg/m2 (20.9 – 23.8) vs 24.6 kg/m2 (21.7 – 26.1), p = 0.001], and waist circumference [(81.8 ± 8.2 vs 87.8 ± 10.9 cm, p = 0.003)], and higher high-density lipoprotein (54.88 ± 14.44 vs 47.30 ± 12.27 mg /dL p = 0.008) than omnivores. Conclusion: Compared with omnivores, vegetarians had a better nutritional status, with lower BMI and waist circumference, significantly higher levels of plasma lipoprotein high-density, and healthier lifestyle. (Int J Cardiovasc Sci. 2019;32(6):623-634) Keywords: Diet, Vegetarian; Chronic Disease; Dyslipidemias; Lipoproteins; ife Style; Epidemiology; Body Weight and Measures. Introduction Assessment of nutritional status is made by anthropometry, biochemical tests and evaluation of dietary intake, which altogether, determine whether individuals have “normal” status or are at risk of malnutrition. The evaluation of nutritional status plays an important role as it has an inverse relationship with the incidence of non-communicable diseases (NCDs), including obesity, type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM2), cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), systemic arterial hypertension (SAH) and some cancers. 1 The close relationship between obesity and life style (physical inactivity and poor-quality diet) make this modifiable component the main target of weight control strategies. Healthy eating is considered eating habits that promote health and that should be guided and encouraged from childhood to adult life. 2 In this context, vegetarian diets may be advantageous as a nutritional strategy not only to promote healthy eating habits but also to help in the treatment and prevention of obesity. 3 According to the Brazilian Vegetarian Society (SVB), a vegetarian is an individual who exclude all kinds of