Both men and women who adopt a vegetarian lifestyle face a 50% increased risk of hip fracture compared to those who consume meat regularly, according to a comprehensive study. While it is known that vegetarian women are particularly susceptible to hip fractures, the reasons remain unclear, with previous research focusing on men being limited and inconclusive. This new research, conducted by the University of Leeds, involved analyzing data from 413,914 individuals, providing the first evidence that vegetarian men also face a higher risk compared to their meat-eating counterparts while also identifying potential risk factors for both genders.
Participants, recruited for the UK Biobank project between 2006 and 2010, provided detailed dietary information. They were classified into four categories: regular meat-eaters (consuming meat five or more times a week), occasional meat-eaters (less than five times a week), pescatarians (fish but no meat), and vegetarians (dairy but no fish or meat). The study linked these dietary profiles with hospital records to monitor hip fracture occurrences up to the year 2021. The findings, documented in a paper titled “Risk of hip fracture in meat-eaters, pescatarians, and vegetarians: a prospective cohort study of 413,914 UK Biobank participants,” published in BMC Medicine and available online, reflect the thoroughness and rigour of the research.
The study revealed that among the nearly 414,000 participants, 3,503 cases of hip fractures occurred, translating to an overall incidence rate of 0.8%. Although the overall risk of hip fractures is low, vegetarians showed a significantly higher risk compared to regular meat-eaters, irrespective of gender. The risk among occasional meat-eaters was similar to that of regular meat-eaters. At the same time, pescatarians had a slightly elevated risk of 8% compared to regular meat-eaters, though this difference was not statistically significant.
In real-world terms, the researchers estimated that, on average, both regular and occasional meat-eaters would encounter 6.5 hip fractures. At the same time, pescatarians would face 7 cases, and vegetarians would see 9.5 cases. James Webster, a doctoral researcher at the School of Food Science and Nutrition who led the study, emphasized that while the risk of hip fracture among vegetarians translates to just three additional fractures per 1,000 people over a decade, the overall health benefits of a vegetarian diet, such as reduced risk of cancer and cardiovascular diseases, might outweigh the increased fracture risk, providing reassurance to those following a vegetarian diet.
Webster pointed out that a lower BMI could be a key factor in the elevated risk among vegetarians. The study also found vegetarians were about 17% less likely to meet protein intake recommendations than meat-eaters. He highlighted the importance of vegetarians ensuring a balanced protein-rich diet and maintaining a healthy BMI to support bone and muscle health.
Professor Janet Cade, who heads the Nutritional Epidemiology Group at the University of Leeds and supervised the research, underscored the significant health implications of hip fractures and the potential role of diet in mitigating risk. She reiterated that while vegetarian diets offer numerous health benefits, enhancing understanding of diet quality and the balance of essential nutrients could help reduce risks and promote better bone health in the future.
More information: James Webster et al, Risk of hip fracture in meat-eaters, pescatarians, and vegetarians: a prospective cohort study of 413,914 UK Biobank participants, BMC Medicine. DOI: 10.1186/s12916-023-02993-6
Journal information: BMC Medicine Provided by University of Leeds
