Accepted for/Published in: JMIR Research Protocols
Date Submitted: Dec 4, 2019
Date Accepted: Mar 20, 2020
Warning: This is an author submission that is not peer-reviewed or edited. Preprints - unless they show as "accepted" - should not be relied on to guide clinical practice or health-related behavior and should not be reported in news media as established information.
Methods of the SuNDiAL Project: A clustered, cross-sectional survey of the dietary intake, nutrient status and lifestyles of New Zealand female adolescent vegetarians and non-vegetarians
ABSTRACT
Background:
Anecdotally, vegetarian eating patterns seem to be increasing in parallel with growing concerns about environmental sustainability. While this pattern of eating is widely believed to be associated with benefits for the planet and individual health, it may increase the risk of inadequate intakes and nutrient deficiency if not planned carefully. Adolescent females, who have increased requirements for some nutrients such as iron, zinc, calcium and vitamin B12 due to growth and development, may be particularly at risk.
Methods:
A clustered, cross-sectional, nationwide study of females aged 15-18 y will be conducted. Secondary schools will be recruited throughout New Zealand and respective pupils (n ≈ 300) will be invited to participate in data collection in either the first (February to April) or third (August to October) school term of 2019 (New Zealand schools operate on a four term year). Socio-demographic and health information; vegetarian status; dietary habits; and attitudes, motivations and beliefs regarding food choices will be assessed via an online self-administered questionnaire. Dietary intakes will be collected via two 24 h diet recalls on non-consecutive days and will be adjusted for within person variation using the Multiple Source Method, to represent usual intakes. Nutrient adequacy will be assessed by the EAR cut-point method or probability approach as appropriate. Height and weight will be measured and blood and urine samples collected for micronutrient status assessment. Participants will wear an accelerometer for seven days for the assessment of 24 h activity patterns (time spent asleep, in sedentary time, or engaging in light intensity or moderate-to-vigorous intensity physical activity). Discussion: The SuNDiAL Project will provide a meaningful and timely description of diet, nutrition status, and motivational factors associated with vegetarianism, and identify any risks this pattern of eating may pose for female adolescents. The results of this study will support the development of targeted recommendations and interventions aimed at enhancing the health, growth and development of adolescent females.
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