Males And Ladies Who Are Vegetarian Face Elevated Danger Of Hip Fracture

Each women and men who comply with a vegetarian weight loss program face a 50% higher threat of a hip fracture in comparison with individuals who usually eat meat, in accordance with the outcomes of a large-scale examine. 

It has been recognised that ladies who’re vegetarian have an elevated threat of hip fracture, however the the reason why are unclear, and research wanting on the affect of a vegetarian weight loss program on males have been small scale and inconclusive.  

Researchers on the College of Leeds have analysed information on 413,914 individuals – each women and men – and it offers the primary indication that vegetarian males additionally face a higher threat of hip fracture than males who usually eat meat. It additionally identifies a number of the elements which may be placing vegetarians – each female and male – at elevated threat. 

Recruited between 2006 and 2010, the people within the examine – all a part of the UK Biobank challenge – supplied info on their weight loss program and have been classed as both an everyday meat eater who ate meat 5 or extra occasions every week; an occasional meat eater consuming meat fewer than 5 occasions week; pescatarian the place they ate fish however not meat; or vegetarian the place they may devour dairy meals however not fish or meat. 

The info on the people was linked to their hospital information and a instances of hip fracture have been recorded within the follow-up interval to 2021. 

The paper – Danger of hip fracture in meat-eaters, pescatarians, and vegetarians: a potential cohort examine of 413,914 UK Biobank participant – is printed within the tutorial journal BMC Drugs.

Outcomes 

Among the many 413,914 individuals, there have been 3503 instances of hip fracture, an general incidence charge of lower than one p.c (0.8%).  

Though the general threat of getting a hip fracture was low, the relative threat between vegetarians and common meat eaters was massive. The researchers discovered:  

• Vegetarians had a 50% higher threat than common meat-eaters, no matter intercourse.  
• There was no distinction in threat between occasional and common meat-eaters.  
• Pescatarians had a barely higher threat (8%) than common meat-eaters, however this was a non-significant distinction. 

Relative dangers – and real-world instances 

The scientists calculated how these relative variations could translate to real-world instances. 

They predicted on common 6.5 common meat eaters and 6.5 occasional meat eaters would expertise a hip fracture, while there can be 7 instances amongst pescatarians and 9.5 instances amongst vegetarians. 

James Webster, a doctoral researcher within the Faculty of Meals Science and Diet who led the examine, stated: “Hip fractures are a rising drawback in an ageing society, and may set off debilitating well being circumstances and a lack of high quality of life. 

“This examine reveals that while vegetarians face a higher threat of hip fracture than meat-eaters – at 50% – this interprets to only 3 extra hip fractures per 1000 individuals over 10 years. The well being advantages of a vegetarian weight loss program, together with a decrease threat of most cancers and heart problems, should still outweigh any will increase in hip fracture threat.  

“Our evaluation means that low BMI could also be a key consider why their threat is increased.  

“Moreover, vegetarians have been about 17% much less prone to meet protein suggestions than meat-eaters. So, essential messages from our examine are that vegetarians want to make sure they’re getting a balanced weight loss program with sufficient protein and preserve a wholesome BMI. This may assist vegetarians to take care of wholesome bones and muscle groups.” 

Professor Janet Cade, who leads the Dietary Epidemiology Group on the College of Leeds and supervised the analysis, stated: “Hip fracture is a serious well being concern and weight loss program could have an element to play in affecting threat.  

“This analysis, utilizing the big UK Biobank, confirms our earlier work, exhibiting {that a} vegetarian weight loss program will increase threat of hip fracture in comparison with common meat eaters, in each women and men. While vegetarian diets have well being advantages, understanding weight loss program high quality and the stability of key vitamins could assist to cut back threat and enhance future bone well being.” 

Hip fractures value the NHS between £2 – 3 billion yearly.