Vegetarianism among Jordan University students

Abstract

To determine the prevalence rate and reasons of vegetarianism as well as its relationship with selected demographic and lifestyle characteristics among Jordan University students. A cross-sectional survey was carried out at Jordan University, Amman, Jordan from March to September 2005. The survey included 1209 students aged 17-28 years. A multistage stratified sampling technique was used to recruit the participants from different majors at Jordan University. A self-administered questionnaire included information about demographic, lifestyle characteristics and vegetarian status. The response rate was 80.6%. The overall prevalence of vegetarianism among university students was 23.9%. Vegetarianism was statistically significant (p< 0.05) with being female, younger age, lower family monthly income, nonsmoker, physically active, vitamin-mineral supplement user and normal BMI. The main important reasons for being vegetarian were weight control 39.2% and economic reasons 35.8%. A significant proportion of Jordan University students are interested in vegetarianism because of weight control and economic reasons. Vegetarians are more likely to be: females, younger age, with lower family monthly income, nonsmokers, physically active, vitamin-mineral supplement users and with normal BMI. © 2009 Asian Network for Scientific Information.