The Rise of Vegetarians Around The World
What do Brad Pitt, Martina Navratilova, David Duchovny, Bob Dylan, Pamela Anderson, and Brigitte Bardot have in common? All are known to be vegetarians. Apart from India, it is estimated that about 1% of the global population abstains from poultry, meat and fish and that about 0.1% are vegans, avoiding all animal products. These figures translate into about 60 million vegetarians worldwide, not including India.
A large 2008 study of vegetarians [Vegetarianism in America, published by Vegetarian Times] shows that 3.2 percent of U.S. adults (7.3 million people) follow a vegetarian-based diet. About 0.5 percent (1 million) of those are vegans, who consume no animal products whatsoever. In addition, 10 percent of U.S. adults (22.8 million people) say they follow a semi-vegetarian diet, which includes occasional consumption of fish.
The 2008 study indicates that of the non-vegetarians surveyed 5.2 percent, or 11.9 million people, are "definitely interested" in following a vegetarian-based diet in the future. This clearly shows that most people believe a vegetarian diet equates to a healthy diet.
The vegetarian study collected data on age, gender and other demographic factors revealing that: – 57.1 percent have followed a vegetarian diet for more than 10 years; 18 percent for 5 to 10 years; 10.8 percent for 2 to 5 years, 14.1 percent for less than 2 years. – 42.0 percent are age 18 to 34 years old; 40.7 percent are 35 to 54; and 17.4 percent are aged over 55. – 59 percent are female and 41 percent are male.
The 2008 study also indicated that over half (53 percent) of vegetarians in the USA eat a vegetarian diet to improve their overall health. Environmental concerns were cited by 47 percent, 39 percent cited ‘natural approaches to wellness”, 25 percent cited weight loss, 24 percent cited weight maintenance, 31 percent cited food-safety concerns, and 54 percent animal welfare.
In Western Europe the number of vegetarians varies between 2% and 4% of the population according to to a 2006 Mintel survey (Mintel.com), with the United Kingdom as the exception. The UK is shown as having the highest per capita vegetarians in Western Europe at 6% of the population. The large number of vegetarians in the UK is accounted for to some extent by health scares relating to mad cow disease.
By contrast, the number of vegetarians in Eastern Europe is much lower, varying between 0.3%% and 1.9% of the population according Mintel. Looking at the rest of the world, data is scarce but estimates vary between 0.2% and 4% vegetarians as a percentage of population, but there are two big exceptions to this: Israel and India.
Israel, at 8.5%, has the world’s second largest percent of vegetarians, according to the Israeli Ministry of Health, which equates to a remarkable 595,000 people in such a small country. India holds more vegetarians than the rest of the world combined. A 2006 survey by the Hindu newspaper found that 40 percent of the population, or 399 million people, are vegetarians.
Today, more than 400 million Indians are vegetarian, mostly driven by class and religious concerns, with the Brahmin class expected to not eat meat, the Hindu religion suggesting vegetarianism and the Jain religion absolutely requiring it.
The Jain religion in India regards all forms of life as sacred. With over 7 million members, they prohibit consumption of any kind of flesh, eggs, and honey. Root vegetables (which might harm soil insects when harvested) are also avoided. Fruit and vegetables that have been on the ground, or those that are more than 3 days old (including pickles and preserves) are avoided. Water is boiled before drinking, and other liquids are strained before consumption, usually by use of a cloth.
There are different types of vegetarians, depending on dietary restrictions. For example, some vegetarians exclude all cooked food, others may exclude milk or eggs, and so on.
It is interesting to note that when vegetarians are compared with their non-vegetarian peers in the same demographic (same socio-economic-cultural background), scientific research shows that vegetarians are less healthy. This explodes the myth that a vegetarian diet is the healthiest way to eat. In fact, peer-reviewed research shows that vegetarians have a higher incidence of diseases such as obesity, heart disease, stroke, eating disorders, cancer, dementia, infertility and other ailments.
Russell Eaton is the author of The Vegetarian Paradox which explains why vegetarians are less healthy than their non-vegetarian peers. The Vegetarian Paradox makes compelling reading for anybody interested in good health. Claim your free copy now by going to ==>> http://www.the-vegetarian.com/types-of-vegetarians.php
Article Source: articlestreet